"JUST AN INTERRUPTION"

     As I read my morning devotions, I was reminded of some events that has took place in my life;  and I want to try and share two of them, and edited my remarks for "Our Comfort Zone."  Both revolve around tears, tears I have shed recently, and some that was shed 58 years ago. {Kitty sometimes calls me Jeremiah}

     You may or may not know that I am working part time at Crestwood Funeral Home in Gadsden, Al. I have been there nine months now.  We see lots of tears shed, tears of sorrow.  One evening during visitation I met a young I man, and his wife  (her mother had died suddenly)  was very upset and  ask me to come and have prayer with the family.  I did, and I also found tears flowing from my eyes. I cried with this young lady and her family because there was now a void in their life.  Mother was gone.  Then I learned that her demise was "Just An Interruption."  The mother was a Christian.  Need I say more about this event. (If you want to hear more about this event, drop me a note)

    The second event I want to talk about is a little more involved. This event took place almost 59 years ago. I was about to ship out to Europe (WW2), and my mother was giving me last minute instructions I will never forget:  "Son, as far as I know you do not drink (referring to alcohol), and I hope you don't start over there."  I still see her tears flowing for a son she loved.  I am thankful that our fellowship was "Just An Interruption."

I must confess I did not shed tears at that time, but they did come on Christmas day, about a month later - out in the Atlantic Ocean - I missed home.  Now, the rest of "Our Comfort Zone."

     Life's partings are tough, especially when someone we love slips into eternity. Death just rips us up inside, and the grief is sometimes almost unbearable. But because of Jesus, if we belong to Him, and our loved one did, then this is not the termination of our relationship.  It is - because of Christ - only an interruption.

 

   From the Word of God,  1 Thessalonians 4, beginning in verse 13. "We do not want you ... to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope."  I'm glad God didn't say believers don't grieve, because we do. But we grieve with hope. He goes on to say, "For the Lord himself shall decend from heaven with a shout .. the dead in Christ shall rise first.."  That's all our loved one's - all our friends here, who have died; this is "Just An Interruption."  The Bible goes on to say,  "Then we who are alive ..will be caught up together with them in the clouds.. and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

   Wow.  When Jesus walked out of His grave, He conquered death for all those who would ever give their lives to Him. It doesn't mean our heart won't stop some day and this earth-suit called our body will die. But it means the real you, your soul, will go on forever in God's great Heaven.

    So now, because of Jesus, the very worst death can be for believers is an interruption of the relationship, never a termination. If you have never put your total trust in Jesus to be your own Savior from sin and death, don't risk another day without Him.

     SOOO, let us work... now .. get out of "OUR COMFORT ZONE" and tell our loved ones and friends about Jesus .. then there will be "JUST AN INTERRUPTION."

      Have a great Christmas Season.  I love you,

Roy