Nov 29 - Revelation 21:3-4

Recently a parent wrote, asking about how to speak to their children about grandma's illness and impending death. Over the next several days, I'm letting you "listen in" to my pastoral advice. So far we have covered the following pieces of advice: 1. Be Honest and Upfront 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more

Revelation 21:3-4

2

Focus Forward

On the first two pages of scripture, God reveals his plan for humanity. As he creates, our Lord repeatedly says, "It is good, it is good, it is good." This goodness found its place in a perfect garden, which was filled with everything ... except mourning and crying, death and pain.

On the last two pages of scripture, God reveals his eternal plan for humanity. He tells us that there will be a new heaven, a new earth, a new "garden," filled with everything ... except mourning and crying and pain. In the fullness of God's plan, death will again be no more.

That's the first two pages (Gen 1 and 2) and the last two pages (Rev 21 and 22). But on the 1147 pages in between, sin rages and death has its way. In between, we certainly see glimpses of hope and promise — especially when Jesus comes in grace and glory — but mostly we see the imperfections of earth. Meaning? In these in-between-times, death keeps leaving a huge hole in too many hearts.

Therefore, when you know someone who is grieving, encourage them to quit looking downward at the grave and start focusing heavenward instead.

Now, this is definitely easier to say than to do. Tell your grieving friends that. But even more important, remind them that when we grieve, we are hungering for something that this broken earth can never supply.

Indeed, tell them that when we grieve we are already focusing forward. We are wanting what God promises. And we are mourning the wages of sin ... which is death.

Therefore, let us encourage one another to hunger for no more mourning, crying, or pain. Indeed, let us encourage one another to focus forward, to actively reach out for God's future, to vibrantly anticipate -- and with great hope -- the day that our deceased grandmas are already enjoying.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants his symbol to be

two triangles, pointing to the right

— look at the controls of your old VCR: 

I want to be "fast forward" and focused forward