Perspective

It matters.

The words I am going to write in this blog have been on my heart for several weeks now.  We have experienced some deep losses these last few months, as recently as this week.

Our dear neighbour friend, Eddie lost his fight to cancer, our dear friend, Ntorbea, lost her fight with cancer mid-August, our neighbour’s husband, Joel, passed away suddenly in his wife’s arms and this week our beloved sister, Roohi, lost her fight with cancer a few short days ago.

Precious lives lost, leaving massive holes in our hearts and in the world around us.

We prayed hard for miracles all the way through. Every day. Asking God to move, cursing cancer, pleading with God for breakthrough. Yet, here we are mourning their loss.

So…what happens when these prayers seem to hit a brass ceiling? And the answers we so deeply desired do not come?

Perspective.

Even now I’m listening to some powerful lyrics from a song called “Trust In You”.  The chorus is so beautiful.

“When you don’t move the mountains I’m needing you to move When you don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through When you don’t give the answers As I cry out to you I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you”

That is our declaration.

No matter what, we trust Jesus. We trust Him with our lives, with our families, with our friends. We HAVE to trust Him. He is GOOD.

While witnessing the emptying of our dear friend’s apartment, with all her worldly possessions being donated or given away, one realizes- this life is but a breath.

This is why our focus cannot be on this life, but on eternity. All we can accumulate on this earth- houses, boats, cars, clothes, furniture, degrees, accolades…one day these things no longer matter.

All that matters is how we lived our lives for Him. How we served God in our every day lives. How we lived with eternity in mind.

That IS the perspective that matters- ETERNITY.

And as much as we feel deep sadness and pain in this life, we must not quit. We must not lose hope. We must not lose our passion for Him.

Why?

Because He is GOOD. Because He is Love. Because He is faithful. Because eternity is for…eternity. This life, a breath. And no matter what, He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.

Be courageous, my friends. This life is full of JOY & SORROW. Both go hand in hand. And that is OK.

Even now I feel my beautiful 19 week old baby moving around inside my womb. It’s glorious. Words cannot express the JOY this baby already brings us. We are so thankful! Overjoyed.

Yet, our hearts are aching at the loss of our friend and sister.

This is life. And that is OK.

Wrestle through the questions.

Cry.

Feel.

This is all OK.

God is our strength. He is our Hope.

And we know…”in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

How does He work all things for “good”? No clue. And it may sound cliche, but I believe this with EVERY fiber of my being.  Why? Because He does NOT lie! Of that I am sure.

So, may we live in such a way that impacts the world around us with the radical love of Jesus Christ.

And may our perspective always be one of ETERNITY.

Life is short, my friends. Love Him with your entire being. Trust Him. Pray your guts out. Serve Him with ALL you’ve got. Love the world around you. Live for Him. Let’s cheer one another on in this life. Let’s run this race hard, side by side. Let’s live with ETERNITY in mind!