Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
A few months back, I finished the book, Heaven is For Real. The story relates the memories of a young boy who endured emergency surgery and entered the gates of heaven, for a little while. His innocent comments after his recovery startled his parents who quickly realized their little boy had, indeed, been in the presence of Jesus.
I know there is rejoicing in heaven today, as a new bass guitarist has joined the Heavenly Band. Mike’s broken body, after a savage dog attack, has been made new and whole by his Father. Our choir was asked to sing at his memorial service yesterday. It was not a service that I was looking forward to but a senseless tragedy was turned into glorious triumph as we celebrated Mike’s life and rejoiced together.
Last October, Mike and his band were asked to play at our Women’s Retreat for the special music. It was going to be a sacrifice for Mike to take the time but he decided to come. Performers learn to wait between sets. But this time, as Mike sat in the background on the stage, God spoke to him and he turned his life over to the One who loved him. He later told his sister, who had been praying for him for years, that he had accepted Christ and taken his first communion. Who would have thought that one man’s salvation would be the reason for a Women’s Retreat?
We never know the day or the hour when God will call us home. Our task is to be faithful. Under Mike’s picture, in the memorial bulletin, was written the verse:
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
Father, our hearts struggle between joy and sorrow but we know you greeted Mike with, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”