My friend had his big day. I saw Mr. Binh earlier that day. He was much weaker than he had been the previous few days. Disease had launched its final attack. He had little strength left. He could barely speak. My friend needed to be ready for his big day—his last day on this earth.
My friend, though weaker still, nodded and assented several times as I spoke of God’s presence as he went through this difficulty. I reminded my friend of God’s promises that he will not leave or forsake us; but he is with us to the very end of the age. Just three days after I last wrote to you, my friend, Mr. Binh, met the Savior who died for him.
The internment was on an unusually cold but bright afternoon. The biting wind carried the sound of Vietnamese chanting voices through the air. A small group of family and friends braved the cold. It was a strange experience—cell phone calls, a well-intentioned but rudely loud insistence of a friend’s sympathy gift to a family member, continuous video recording and picture taking, uncomfortably casual conversation struck up by an acquaintance, inappropriate laughter at one point—it was odd. Even with all the distractions, my thoughts kept on drifting back to my friend.
My thoughts drifted back to his reaction as I reminded him of God’s promises those days in the hospital. Without the ability to see if the man had faith, I could only go by his confession, so I have hope that I will see my friend again. God’s promises are clear:
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” This, from John’s Gospel. A few chapters later in John: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Of course, the vital follow-up question that comes a beat later is so telling: “Do you believe this?”
This question is the point to which it all comes down. Your big day is on the horizon, too. My big day is, too. Too often we live a day as if it is not our last, which it very well could be. Too common are the days we treat as common. Too many suns have set when we have held a grudge, wallowed in self-pity, refused to forgive, or forgotten to take our cares to God in prayer.
Thanks be to God, forgiveness is yours in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, you are forgiven, refreshed in spirit, and freed to live a life of thanks to God. God bless you this day, faith family, as you live today as a day that matters and means something to the God who gave it to you. God bless your day as you use its minutes and hours to show love to Him and love to others. God bless you this and every day, as you use these days to prepare for your big day.
Prayer idea: Pray for God to strengthen Christians throughout the world facing end-of-life issues. Pray for opportunities to help others get ready for their big day. Ask for strength and direction as you use each day in loving service to your loving God.
--Blessings on your week, full of 24-hour gifts from God!