There are a lot of things in life that are guaranteed. Products are guaranteed to work for a certain period of time. Satisfaction is guaranteed, though I have never figured out how one person can guarantee the feelings of another. Rates are guaranteed and so on.
One thing is not guaranteed. We are not promised tomorrow or another day of life. Lately I have been dealing with a lot of deaths. A family member. A member of the the church. Church member's family members. Some are older folks, but some are young!
James says that we go about life planning for the future, but really we ought to make our plans and then say, "if the Lord wills, we will do this or that" (James 4:15).
We don't know when the Lord will call us to himself in death. We do know that the Lord loves every person unconditionally. We also know the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. We know he is in control. When we have to face death in our family and among our friends we have to hang on to what we know, even when all our feelings scream other more painful things.
My encouragement to you is to follow these words found on a tombstone, quoted Pastor John Osteen many times before he went to be with the Lord.
"Pardon stranger passing by,
as you are now so once was I.
As I am now soon you will be,
prepare thyself to follow me."
The minister found a piece of chalk rock and added these lines.
"To follow you I'm not content,
until I know which way you went."
"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come." Ecclesiastes 12:1
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