Afterlife: Where Are You Headed?

I have a fear. I hate to admit this—I know fear is connected to a lack of trust in God—but I have a huge fear. I hide it pretty well—at least I like to think so—as I wrestle with it almost daily. How’s that for honesty?

My fear?

Here it is: I am afraid my husband will pass before me. There, my secret is out…

The thought of life without him scares the be-jeebies out of me.

You may have the same fear, or a similar one.

When I hear about someone’s spouse who dies it’s difficult for me to express condolences, because it’s way too close to my hidden fear. This happened to a dear friend, Carmen—her husband, Nelson, at the age of 81, graduated to Heaven. Just days after his passing you could see Carmen smiling as she walked around church for weekend services. When I saw her I took a deep breath, and choked back a tear.

I wanted to run but instead I went to her and gave her a hug.

“I am so sorry for your loss.”

She smiled.

“We know where he is.” She smiled! She smiled! “I’ll be there soon. We all will be.”

She was living one of my greatest fears and she was smiling! Clearly this is the kind of faith that I need. Faith that accepts everything the Lord brings our way…with gratefulness.

I don’t need to fear death so much. I was forever changed by one conversation.

I know where I’m going. I know where my husband is going.

“By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love” (1 John 17 -18).

As Carmen continued to talk with me I was soaking up every word. She ended with, “His [Jesus’] love takes over the darkness.”

“His love takes over the darkness.”

-Carmen

HIS LOVE TAKES OVER THE DARKNESS!

Do I believe this?

Do you believe this?

Yes, a thousand times yes! This IS true!

If you don’t know this today…

If you don’t know your final destination…

It’s time to trust Jesus.

It’s time to trust God’s love.

It’s time to surrender to the Father who created you and who loves you.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Until next time, remember God loves you.