"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)
Thank You, Lord, for Your always timely, always good, always powerful Word.
I read these words from the book of James just this morning and immediately the smiling face and twinkling eyes of a remarkable man, Bill Duff, came to mind. For you see, after a difficult battle with cancer, Bill went on home to be with the Lord yesterday evening--and this man described in James sounds exactly like Bill. Bill was "steadfast under trial." He "stood the test." And now, Bill is the one who is "blessed" and, at this very moment is receiving "the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him."
You know, I hate cancer. I hate this horrible disease that has robbed our world, even just in the past few weeks here in Raleigh--of such wonderful, godly, amazing individuals like Bill Duff and Paul Creech. Cancer has taken from us so many other infinitely precious mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, and friends...and they've been taken from us too soon. Way too soon.
But that's from my very limited perspective. I only glimpse a very tiny, very limited little piece on the back of the canvas--all those ugly, little loose strings on the backside of the needlepoint.
God, on the other hand, understands and sees it all--the enormously huge whole, not just a tiny portion. Moreover, our Lord sees, plans, and creates from the right side of the canvas--not from the confusing back but from the front where the beautiful needlepoint design is revealed in all it's intricacy, glory, and wonder.
I have absolutely no doubt that if Bill, or Paul, or Rebecca, or my Daddy, or any of the dear folks we've all prayed for so long and hard could speak to us right now, they would tell us, "Mine is the greater deliverance!" They would declare that God's sovereign timing is perfect--never too early, never too late. And despite all the people still here that love them and want them here, they would not want to come back to this old sin-sick planet, for they have seen, heard, felt, experienced such glorious things beyond anything any of us could dare to dream or imagine.
Think of it: united with loved ones who have gone on home before them. Enjoying Life as it was meant to be truly lived and enjoyed--devoid of all sin, sorrow, separation--only joys unending. Exploring worlds and glimpsing glories beyond all comprehension. Gazing upon the gracious, beautiful, and infinitely loving face of Jesus. They would be astounded that we could even wish them to come back here! How can one consider leaving perfect love, perfect glory, perfect wonder, perfect peace, perfect beauty, perfect joy?
None of us could even begin to contemplate such a sacrifice...but Jesus did.
He relinquished it all...that we, and Bill, and Paul, and so many countless others--might receive it all. What a Savior. What a Lord.
We grieve today. As I look out on the rain pouring down outside, I think, yes, even the earth weeps for our temporary loss of Bill. But even as I write those words, I realize it's not true--Bill's not lost. No, something can only be lost if you don't know where it is. We know exactly where Bill is, for because Jesus was His Lord and Savior, we know, know know precisely where he is right this very moment: rejoicing in glory and experiencing the infinite wonders of heaven. Incredible.
Bill's not "lost"...just out of our range of vision...for a little while. A very little while. But one glorious day, we will see him again. And I'm just betting he'll have that familiar old twinkle in his eye!
"I shall rise from the dead...I shall see the Son of God, the Sun of Glory, and shine myself as that sun shines. I shall be united to the Ancient of Days, to God Himself, who had no morning, never began...No man ever saw God and lived. And yet, I shall not live till I see God; and when I have seen Him, I shall never die." (John Donne)
Thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for coming. Thank You for dying. Thank You for rising from the dead...that we might live. Forever. And ever.
To God be the glory.
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