“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
One of my high school classmates, an awesome lady who, the best I can say, treated you as an equal with respect and a listening ear, passed away about a week ago. Each death these days is like ripping off the bandage on a wound. It reopens what was being restored and bleeds the loss again.
One of my classmates listed all of the people from our Ironton High School Class of 1972 who have passed. It now stands at 27%. That list began with Mike Wilcoxen, who sat beside me in “home room” during his senior year, and continued all the way to Jona Murray a few days ago.
In the midst of all those high school classmates, one of my college friends and teammates, Stan Brown, passed away a few months ago. That one, as well, took the wind out of my sails for a while. Like tofu, life seemed tasteless for a while, no matter how it was prepared.
In one respect, I think of people like Stan, Jona, and Mike, and realize how blessed I have been to have known them. On the other hand, however, my heart aches because there is the sting of death that pricks at my soul. In addition, I know the list of losses will continue to grow. Of course, my name may be the next on the list, right down there in alphabetical order behind Mike Wilcoxen.
I know, I know, that’s a bit morbid, but morbid seems to be a descriptive adjective that gets attached to death. As the doctor appointments of my wife and me grow longer, it’s there in front of us. A couple of close friends of mine are in the midst of medical situations that carry frustration, confusion, waiting, and pain. It’s not that they are on Death’s Doorstep, but they’re wondering if it is going to get any better. They’re both about my age. Visits to the gym to get them back in shape are a distant memory in the past. Now it’s about aching muscles, knees that make noises whenever they come down a staircase, and wondering what tomorrow will hold for them.
However, those two friends are followers of Jesus. In the stings of our health challenges, there is the song of victory. They may be numbed by the present circumstances, but they are filled with joy about the victory that is theirs. That truth keeps them hope-filled and grounded in God’s embrace. It also keeps us praying for one another, because we believe in the mercy of God and the grace of extended hand.
Words from WW Blog 