Friday, September 23, 2011

To die is gain

Our Pastor has been preaching out of the book of Philippians for the last few weeks. Last Sunday he preached on Philippians 1:21

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

These very profound words had such an impact. As our Pastor was preaching he began to cry. He said that as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.

Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the lose of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".

7 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."


Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (ESV).

Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.


11 comments:

Belinda said...

What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing it.

Sherry Southard said...

This Post goes right along with what I have been contemplating ever since my husband died nearly two years ago. It also goes with my post I posted last week. Today my sister mourns her husbands death of 5 years ago. Someday it will be our turn to walk the pearly gates and then we will see our loved ones again. Hurr1ah for that

Misty said...

Such a moving post.. My mother passed away.. 2 months ago this upcoming Monday. Sometimes I feel so selfish wanting her here. I know she is in a much better place.. but yet I wrestle with thoughts of why, she was too young, I am too young to not have my mom and yet I am reminded of many others who grieve too. I am resting in His hands and blessed to have read your post.

We each die daily.. what we do with each moment is what counts. Let everything we do glorify Him.

Blessings,
Misty

Carrie said...

Thank you for sharing this!

Allie said...

I think it's human to want to keep our loved ones with us - but yet - they're more fully alive than they've ever been! I don't think we can even imagine the wonders He has in store for us.

Joan Hall said...

Earlier this year one of the older members of our congregation passed away. He had been in ill health for a while, but attended church with his wife of 50 plus years that morning. He went to bed that night and she went to check on him shortly afterward and he had passed into the arms of Jesus. Our worship pastor often uses the term, "received his/her promotion to heaven." Truly, for the Christian, to die is gain.

Blessings,
Joan

Charlotte said...

What a precious memory. I remember when I was younger (quite a bit younger) saying that nobody really close to me had died. Now so many friends and relatives have already gone on that I am more and more anxious to be reunited. I would just as soon wait a little bit longer though. lol
Blessings,
Charlotte

Nikki (Sarah) said...

it's so hard to lose someone you totally love....I said good bye to a good friend a few months ago. It felt like my heart wouldn't stop bleeding. But your post says it right on....great tribute to your friend.

Pamela said...

Hard times. My mother lost a best friend and I remember how painful it was for her. It's hard to think of our loved ones gain when we miss them so deeply. Sounds like a wonderful sermon.

Blessings,
Pamela

Lisa notes... said...

I'm sorry you lost your special friend. You have such a wonderful perspective about it though. I like to remind myself that both my parents who died last year are now both whole in every way, and that helps me cope too.

Unknown said...

Lovely words of encouragement and inspiration and such comforting Bible Scripture. Thank you for a lovely visit.