Internal Life

As a pastor, I am privileged to journey with families in their grief and pain over the death of a loved one. The prayers, the tears, the hugs, the moments of silence, the laughter and joy as memories are shared have blessed me over the years. There are times when it seems nothing I say, no amount of prayer, no words of comfort, can console the family.

A young man died quite unexpectedly. This was one of those times when nothing seemed to comfort the young wife, now left to raise her two children. The funeral was over. Life was moving on, but she was struggling. We sat in her kitchen, sharing a cup of coffee and some tears. The kids were in and out of the room, oblivious to our conversation, or so I thought, until the seven-year-old ran up to her mom and said, “Daddy is with God. He’s just waiting for us to come join him. That’s what you said, Pastor. We have internal life, right?”

Since we believe, since Christ lives within us, we know the promises of God through Christ Jesus are true. Eternal life is for all who believe. Paul assures us that the bonds of death are truly broken in Christ’s death and resurrection. We need not fear.

Thank you for the internal gift of eternal life. Amen. — LH