Heaven

A friend of mine, Nathan, died last night, Tuesday, February 22, 2011. He was in his early 40s and had a young daughter and son as well as a loving wife. From what I understand, he was at one of his daughter's ballgames when he suffered a massive heart attack and died soon thereafter. Things like this will make you start thinking about life and death, the here and the after.

Much will be said to the family at this time in an attempt to comfort them. In reality, though, no words will bring the comfort they need. Only the grace and peace of Jesus Christ can do that. I know, and everyone who knew him knows, that Nathan was not just a Christian, he was a child of God. He didn't just go to church, he had a relationship with God. And now, he is face to face with his Lord and Savior. And that same Lord will bring his family the comfort and peace they need to get through this difficult time - a time that brings focus to both the deceased and those who remain.

Nathan is now looking into the face of God Himself. He is in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is not waiting for his family, nor is he alone with his earthly family who preceded him. He is focused solely on the face of God. He is in a place where there is no time. Subsequently, there is no waiting. He and those he left behind in this world will be together in an instant. And while he is joining some of his earthly family, including his father, he is joining a larger family. In Heaven, we will truly be a family of God. We will experience the closeness we have with our physical family with every one of our spiritual family - all those who believed on the name of Jesus Christ.

He is not looking down upon us, casting his vote as to what he would have done. He's not watching any one but God. Though he loved his family dearly while on this earth, he is not missing them while in Heaven. He feels no sorrow for them because, in a world with no time, they are already there. But if he could look down upon those who remain, if he could feel sorrow for anyone, knowing Nathan it would be for those who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. If he could avert his attention from the face of God he would hurt for those who have rejected that same Savior. He would know the joys and peace that such a relationship can bring on earth, and he would know the glory of Heaven, and he would want all people - especially those he knew on this earth - to know that same joy, that same peace, and that same glory.

For those left behind, the sorrow is not for their father, husband, teacher, or friend. It is for themselves who now find that they are without the person they love. Many things may bring them peace at various times - songs, books, words of encouragement, experiences, sermons, friendships, etc. But only one thing brings true and lasting peace, and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They will have to lean upon Him as they never have before, and as a result, they will find themselves growing closer to God than ever before. They will despair. They will question. They will experience negative emotions despite their best efforts. And there is nothing wrong with that. With questions come answers. And with despair comes repair. And with the negative comes the positive.

Nathan will be missed. But Nathan left behind far more than possessions. He ministered and was a spiritual leader to his family. He ministered and was a leader in his church. He ministered and led by example as a teacher and band leader at school. He ministered to those he didn't know as a participant in Builders for Christ. He left behind a legacy that all men hope to leave, but one that cannot be achieved by making it your goal. Nathan's goal was to please and honor God, not to pad his resume and have a lot of friends.

Nathan is in Heaven - face to face with God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. And because of his obedience and leadership, he is already with his family and loved ones, though they will have to wait through their time on earth to experience that. I guess my point is this - live the life God wants you to lead. For us men, that means being the spiritual leader of our families and in our church. It means being a witness and example in our community. It means living our lives, loving our family, and doing our job as God has instructed us to do in His Word. Then we can truly say and understand that "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."