Living Again!

Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!

Isaiah 26:19

FOR YEARS, WILLIAM had watched as his father’s abilities became more limited. It was a sad day when William had to help his dad enter a senior living center. Even then William visited his mom at his parents’ home every day.

Finally, the organs in his dad’s body started wearing out. William never knew when he woke up in the morning what the day would bring—frequently a trip to the ER was in store.

As he watched his father’s health fade, William kept his Facebook friends informed. He shared updates on his father’s status, including the amusing moments of a macho Irish dad who had Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the prayer needs.

Dozens of people cried with William the day his dad’s body gave out for good. But for William and his dad, the story doesn’t end there. The story doesn’t end there for any of us who have put our faith in Jesus. Instead, the end of life on this earth is actually the beginning of our lives in heaven, the continuation of our lives in Christ. And what a joyous continuation it is!

When we lose the ones we love so dearly, they’re not really lost. In fact, we’re the ones who are still misplaced—these loved ones who put their faith in Christ are home for good. And God has promised that we’ll see them again.

Of course William misses his dad’s presence on earth, and his friends ache with him. But he also looks forward to the day when he can see his dad doing an Irish jig of joy as he worships his Savior.