Daily Devotional for March 25, 2012

Hebrews 11:11-16
Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son. Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the beach.

Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own. If they had been talking about the land where they had once lived, they could have gone back at any time. But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Last week, my little cousins Olivia and Owen visited us. Owen wanted to play the piano, but he wanted company. “Come with me,” he said. When he played in the floor with toys, my husband sat on the fireplace hearth and watched. Owen looked up and said, “Play with me.” What he meant was, “get down here in the floor!” Like so many of us, Owen wanted someone with him. He wasn’t afraid of being alone necessarily; however, he felt more comfortable knowing someone else was along for the ride.

A few weeks ago, my cousin C.D. became gravely ill. He realized that he was dying, and he said so. Those closest to C.D. assured him that he was not dying… but they were in denial. C.D. knew the truth. The first time I visited him in the hospital, he told me, “I’m not going to be here much longer.” I asked, “Are you okay with that?” “Yes,” he replied. “Then so am I,” was my answer. And I meant it. Over the next two weeks, we had several conversations about heaven…who was waiting there for him…how it seemed like it was taking so long for God to get C.D.’s “mansion” ready… and how ready he was to get there.

My cousin was always the king of quips and great stories, and his quick with stayed with him until a day or so before he actually died. I would say, “I’ll see you again,” and he would answer, “If I’m still here!” He told me to give my grandmother a message… “I’m saving a place for you!” and I told him to save one for me, as well! We talked about how his wife, daughter and parents would be waiting for him with a big home-cooked meal… and how he would go to rodeos and watch bull riding with my dad (they have rodeos in heaven, don’t they?!). Only one time did he cry and indicate momentary sadness as he whispered, “Come with me.” I assured him that I still had work to do here… but the angels would gently carry him to heaven, and everything would be okay. And it happened just like that.

C.D. was 88 years old. He was ready to go to heaven… yet for a brief moment, he expressed a desire for company on his journey. I don’t believe he feared death, but it is human nature to have a little trepidation about death or any unfamiliar situation. Lest you think death is only for older people, consider Trayton Nabours, the 6-year-old boy in Russellville, Arkansas, who was killed in a car accident while being driven to school by his grandmother. Trayton is celebrating his seventh birthday today with Jesus. Remember 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, last month while walking to the home of a relative. We don’t like to think about death… but its certainty for all of us at some point is undeniable… and the uncertainty of our “time” is equally real.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose a child of any age. We hope and dream so much for their future. And so does God! Even my 88-year-old cousin had hopes and dreams that were unfulfilled… trips in a new van and motorhome he had recently purchased… time spent with relatives and friends, and more. God wants us to dream big and work toward goals.

How do we resolve our inner conflict when lives are halted and dreams and potential seem to be unfulfilled? Look to this passage in Hebrews. Abraham dreamed of having many children… and he did. But he only lived to see a few of them. Still, God numbered Abraham’s ancestors more than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the beach! Even when we strive to line up our dreams and goals with God’s will, He may orchestrate them in a way we didn’t expect. This means we can find blessings and meaning in the sudden death of a six-year-old boy. We can turn the tragedy of a senseless shooting of a teenager into changes in thinking and legislation that will impact lives for decades to come. We can celebrate the life of an octogenarian who lived and died with dignity and demonstrated faith and confidence that a better home awaited him.

Our attitude toward death represents a pivotal point in our Christian faith. When we begin to explore and embrace the promises of heaven more than the disappointment of life’s earthly end, our relationship with God takes on a new meaning. No longer are we fearful or lonely… nor do we cling to the things of this earth. We recognize that God has grand plans for us, and it’s up to Him to decide whether they are realized in our earthly lifetime or after we get to heaven. When we begin to trust Him for the outcomes…and to look forward to whatever God has in store for us… we no longer need someone to come with us. We recognize the power and presence of God at all times… in all things.

When the Holy Spirit is truly in your heart… when you faithfully trust God for all things in your life, you are never alone. What do you believe God for this day? What hopes and dreams has He planted in your heart? Do you trust Him to deliver on His promises… in His own time? Have you made that faith-filled shift from earthly thinking to heavenly dreams? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus