A Sunny, Winter's Day

 

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 50-58 ESV).

 

As the title suggests, today is a sunny December day in our area of North Texas. I sat down at the computer and didn’t really want to write a devotional (I’m about a week ahead as of today). I did want to write. I find this is one of the most calming activities I practice. It gives me a chance to reflect and calls to mind some of the wonderful gifts God has given me. I call these gifts “treasures.” These treasures are not talents or abilities.

 

Some of you have heard this reference from me before. Of course, the greatest treasure is what we celebrate later this month. The birth and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of all who have been called by the Holy Spirit is the greatest gift of all; however, the grace of God does not stop there. Nearly 55 years ago (December 21, 1969) Mary and I were married in the First Baptist Church of Bryan, Texas. It was at that moment that God gave me another of these “greatest treasures.” We’ve both changed a bit through the years, but the undeniable truth is that she is my great treasure in life. There has been plenty of thick and a bit of thin through the years; however, never has there not been a moment when I could imagine life without her.

 

Oh, I suppose I should spend a bit of time here and explain why I chose the wedding picture including our parents. Few of you will know them. It has been a long time since they have gone to heaven, there waiting for us to join all our loved ones and family. On the left are pictured Mary’s Dad and Mom (Bruce and Edith Perry); in the middle are Mary and I; and on the right are my Mom and Dad (Frank and Rosa Emmitte). My Dad was the first of those to die (1974); then Pop (Bruce) followed in 1989; my Mom died in 1991; and, Mom (Edith) died in 2001. It's been a while since we have seen them, though I’m certain we’ll have plenty of time to “catch up” in heaven.

 

This nostalgic moment brought me to the Scripture from the Apostle Paul I’ve quoted above (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). I am often faced with people who don’t have the same perspective about life as I do. I always do my best not to overwhelm folks with my directness, however, there are times when it just slips out. Just the other day Mary and I were at her physical therapist’s office. It is not particularly large, but well-staffed with caring, knowledgeable people. We have been there previously and know them quite well. Somehow one of the therapists asked me about life after death. We were just having a conversation, and I said something to the effect that dying was not the worst thing to happen. He is a believer, and knows I am as well. He walked over toward me and simply asked, “Is there anything in the last five years that you would have missed if you were not alive?” I simply said, “No.” Knowing my love for family he said, “Was there nothing that you didn’t enjoy seeing when your grandchildren were growing up?” Again, I might have been a little subtler; but, I said, “I don’t believe I would have missed any of it.” I do believe that those who are in heaven are a part of the great cloud of witnesses that look on (cf. Hebrews 12:1).

 

He then asked me a great question that took the conversation a bit deeper. He said, “You would have seen them, but would they have seen you?” I smiled and looked at him and gently said, “That’s one of the reasons I work so hard at staying alive and healthy.” I then quoted the Apostle Paul again with: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 ESV). Like Paul, I am content with either living or dying. Death has no sting; it possesses no power over me. It has been swallowed up in victory. I went further and explained that I believe I have no control of the “when” of my death; I can only control how I shall live until then. Even then, there are some effects of the process of getting me to that appointed time that I cannot control. I’m aging and with that comes health issues that can only be managed, not changed. This is all a part of our opportunity in the Lord: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).

 

Sunny, winter days, or dark, stormy days, they are all a part of God’s good plan for us! That plan will result in all of us being “…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.” Oh, what a day that shall be!

 

It may seem as these thoughts are simply the ramblings of a feeble mind. If that is true, I have joined the ranks of many of the great men and women of the bible who had an unshakeable hope in the promise of God. My prayer is that you have that same hope and are encouraged by it in every circumstance in your journey!