A Life That Matters

My Dad still periodically sends my family quotes or stories that he hears that are good reminders to us all of God's good timing in taking my brother to be with Him in heaven this past January. We all need those reminders when those "But why?" questions start to creep in.

This past week, Steve and Beth (our good friends) were having to battle these same "But why?" questions as they mourned the loss of Steve's brother. All I kept thinking when I saw Steve and his family this past week is...I know. I know the pain. I know the hurt. I know the sorrow. But I also know the comfort that can come and the hope that God offers those who are suffering.

So, here's a story that my dad just sent me the other day from Ron Hutchcraft called "A Life that Matters." Beth and Steve, enjoy...

Recently we buried one of the best and brightest leaders from our On Eagles’ Wings team of Native American young people. After doctors removed his large and aggressive brain tumor, they thought he would have 16-24 months to live; he had four weeks. He died right after his 25th birthday. It was a real blow to all of us who loved him. My 10-year-old grandson may have had the most insightful perspective of all on Ricky’s death. He said, “You know, it’s like this father has all his children out working in the yard, doing their chores. And this daddy called Ricky’s name and said, ‘Ricky, your work is done. Come on in the house and watch TV. But the others kids have to stay in the yard, because their work isn’t done yet.’”

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and I think my grandson gets it. The ultimate cause of death for everyone who belongs to Jesus Christ—their work is done. David wrote about how God “knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Then he says, “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13, 16). God determined how many days you and I would have before we were conceived, and we’ll go Home when our work is done—not one day before…not one day later.

If we love someone, we don’t ever think their work is done of course. But we’re not God, the One who designed them. So you, and every Jesus-follower you know, is immortal until their work is done. And when God calls someone Home, it’s ultimately not because of cancer or a heart attack or an accident; it’s because the Father said, “Your work is done. It’s time to come in.”