Well Done

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4

I’ve got to say that I do not know how pastors do what they do. Today will be my 3rd memorial service in 4 days in three separate devastating circumstances. All these families are of great faith and live with God at the center of their lives. The heaviness and deep sorrow that I have seen in their spirit and the family and friends who surround them make me so grateful for one of the reasons God gave us His word. He knew we would need life where death had left its footprint. He knew that our hearts would need to be encouraged that this earth was never meant to be the final destination. He wanted us to glimpse into the very place where our loved ones have entered. And that is what my heart needs at the end of this week. Wanting to focus on Heaven as a deposit of what is ahead for you and for me. Wanting the faces of our departed ones to appear alive again so our hearts can be comforted. As our loved ones closed their eyes here, what was seen in the next second was the kingdom of Heaven.

I’ll bet their eyes were wider than they have ever been as they scanned the great wall made of jasper. What did they think as they approached the city of clear glass with its foundations adorned with precious stones like sapphire, chalcedony, emerald and many more layers of gems? And then as they turned around, they must have been overwhelmed with the beauty of the multiple gates made of pearls with the street of gold at their feet. They finally felt worthy, healthy and completely at peace as they scanned the beauty of home. And then they looked up ahead and they saw the Glories of Heaven…there on that gorgeous throne sat God their Father, and Christ their Savior. And our family who have previously been called home were standing beside the crystal river of life that proceeded from the throne. And all our loved ones could do was drop to their knees and worship the One who knew them before we ever did. And as they tried to take in every ounce of Heaven, they suddenly heard the beautiful words thunder that for now we can only read, ‘Well done, my good and faithful one.’” Matthew 25:21

My heart needs to read this today as a reminder that the Bible houses truth and promise. This is the vision that God allowed John to give us to hold our hearts until we hear those words coming from the throne of God. I pray this will give you a break from any grief that you are presently experiencing whatever the circumstances. This is more than just words... it is the reality of what our loved ones are experiencing. They are walking in the joy of all past challenges and hurts being gone because the former things have passed away. Until then may take comfort as we picture our loved ones hearing these words face to face with God.