Death & Life :: Finding Hope in the Now & Not Yet

Yesterday we celebrated Easter, joyfully remembering Christ’s resurrection. Twitter and Facebook reverberated with rich biblical truth proclaiming His triumph over death and washed over us with pithy tweets and posts applauding His victory over sin and death.

Such is our hope. Had Christ not risen from the dead, had the resurrection been some kind of elaborate hoax, we followers of Christ would be considered the most to be pitied.

The living, breathing, reigning Christ anchors our hope in the sure and steadfast truth of the gospel. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.” The Father set eternity in our hearts – an internal beacon aiming us ever and onward: home.

I hang onto hope as I remember my nephew Paul. He died six years ago today. He was seventeen, sweet, smiley, and tender hearted. His life ended so soon. Too soon. As I remember and reflect on his short-lived life on earth, I wonder what he’s doing right now – beyond the veil that momentarily separates us from him. Paul knew Jesus and now knows him more deeply than I can even imagine. Because Jesus lives, so does he.

TS Eliot wrote, “To arrive where you are, to get from where you are not, You must go by a way wherein there is no ecstasy.” The journey home is just that: an arduous climb. Wrong turns, bad weather, stiff muscles, delayed departures, flat tires, miscalculations, sumptuous coffee, love, and pain line the windy road. Hope peaks above the horizon – so close. Sure and steadfast.

How do I know?

“”Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things passed away.” And he who is seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new…write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:3-5).