On Tuesday some dear friends welcomed their first baby, Nel. New life, greeted with great joy.
This morning, Wednesday, we got word that a 93 year old friend had entered the kingdom of heaven overnight. He had a mind as sharp as our polar vortex wind, but the body of a helpless infant. The last time we visited him he had been in hospice at home for over a month and when we saw him he felt like he was just. done. He was ready to greet death with great joy.
Upon Dallas Willard’s death, John Ortberg wrote of him:
“He (Dallas) said that a person is a series of conscious experiences, and that for the one who trusts and follows Jesus, death itself has no power to interrupt this life, for Jesus said that the one who trusts in him will not taste death. Dallas died on May 8, 2013. I’m not sure if anyone has told him yet.”
This is a marvelous thought to me – that we don’t wait to experience eternal life with God. It starts now. And the more “with God” we live, the more seamless our transition to heaven will be.
As I was thinking about that, I came across this video with words of encouragement to someone just starting life. And I thought, “These are words for baby Nel. And for me. And for you.”
To all of you, I would echo the words, “We’re really glad you’re here. You’re awake. You’re awesome. Live like it.”
And to Jim I would say, “We’ll miss you. You were awesome.”
Eternity with God can start today.
