Sometimes it's a hard thing to consider. But, as James tells us "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." (James 1:2) Easy to read, tough to do. Fortunately this is something that I believe I have come to know and practice...though sometimes the devil gets the better of me...my humanistic nature wants to say "poor pitiful me" but normally it's overpowered solely by the work of the Holy Spirit that I can "consider it joy." That's something many many people, unfortunately just don't understand or haven't figured out how to achieve it yet. A church member passed away last night. We weren't really close her...her name is Jola, a precious woman who loves the Lord. Jola's been struggling with severe cancer for as long as we've known her (not exactly sure what kind). She's always been a faithful church member though. Last year we had prayer meetings for another church member, Adam-when he was severely ill in the hospital. Scott and I were at the meetings-Jola was there every week as well, faithfully praying for Adam. She was even at church this last Sunday. I remember exchanging smiles with her before walking up the stairs into the balcony that day. She hadn't been in a few weeks and we kept praying for her. Every now and then she'd come and give a report about how she was doing. She was always so optimistic even on Sunday...but in a different way. She stood infront of the church, thanking us for our prayers and just started reassuring the church that she was okay. She even said, "I know death is coming. I can feel it. It's normal...it's normal." I remember those words (as they were translated) because they struck me. She said it with such confidence. This lady knew who she was, she loved the Lord, and it was so obvious that He had given her the strength to stand infront of a church who constantly worried about her...and she reassured us that this was just "normal" and things were going to be okay. I think she knew it was her last Sunday and she'd come to say goodbye. What a precious woman. What a heavenly reward she is receiving now. Consider it joy.
Obviously the situation reminds me of my brother. Not that I ever enjoy these reinactments in my mind. Nonetheless, I saw the same exact strength and confidence in him...in his eyes, the night he left us. He just knew and he was okay. He wanted us to know that too...and he so desperately wanted those he loves (and still does I'm sure) to know the joy that he had and is now experiencing to the fullest. There is no doubt in my mind. My sadness comes from the terrible pain of missing him-an absence of something once tangible, which is normal. Sadness is temporary and comes and goes. My joy comes from the relationship I know that he has with the Lord and the indescribable bond that came with that common aspect of our lives. That is the sole reason I can consider it joy...and I do. It's truly a miracle and a work of the Holy Spirit that I can sit here and type this, talk with my students or friends about him-without breaking down and even type with joy in my heart and a smile on my face. I understand that it's not that easy for everyone...nor would I expect it to be. I consider it a gift and a testament to the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ and His unfailing mercy and grace. His desire to comfort His children who are hurting. To me, it truly is a miracle. I pray with all my heart, every day, that one day it will be that way for others.
So...all of this to say a couple of things. One is that I was not wanting nor prepared to attend another funeral for a long long time...but I will and I'll get through it.
Second...joy. For those of you iTunes savvy folks, or for those of you who maybe do not attend a church anywhere for whatever reason (which again...I have pretty strong feelings about), Scott and I have started downloading messages from an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING speaker/and the church he is the pastor of. Rob Bell from Mars Hill Bible Church. Holy Cow... I don't care who you are...go here and listen to all of these... the one I'm specifically referring to though is the sermon from 12.09.2007. AMAZING!
http://www.marshill.org/teaching/index.phpWe download these messages each week and they are absolutely phenomenal...not like any other sermon you will ever listen to. You know who you are...listen, please. I'm so impressed and blown away by this church and its pastor Rob Bell. We're actually using Rob Bell's Nooma Videos
http://nooma.com/ in our weekly meetings for our college students. He also has a couple o' great books out there...the first being "Velvet Elvis" go to Amazon & buy it.
Anyway...enough of a rant. Just go there and do it.
Consider it joy. Ask God for joy. Be blessed this week.
P.S...Student prayer ministry is going SSSSOOOOOO WELL!!! I'm stoked about it! Thanks for participating!
