Graduating to Glory

My beloved childhood pastor, Bob Warren, used to say that believer's who died had graduated to glory. I've always remembered that and find that particular concept quite true. God calls us to faithfulness on earth, to do the work that he gives us, to—as John Piper puts it—"not waste our lives." Our death then is a graduation of sorts, a completion of our work and a going home to glory, not because of what we have done, but because of the righteousness of Christ imputed (applied, reckoned) to us.

Cherie's mom will soon graduate to glory. From our perspective the parting is difficult and painful, but not so great that we do not recognize the joy of her homecoming and the celebration at her graduation party.

Pondering Death

I have been thinking about death recently, due mostly to the passing of Tony Snow, Fox News contributor, White House spokesman, husband, father. He died of colon cancer at the age of 53. His mother also died of colon cancer. My uncle died in the past month as well.

One one level this is just the normal cycle of life. People are born. They live. They die. It's rather unremarkable—if the death isn't in your family, or someone close to you. Of course if it is someone close to you, then it just isn't "the normal cycle of life," it is a tragedy that rips away at your gut and forces you out of your day-to-day routine to ponder these things. What can one say at these times except that one is grateful for the solace and promise of the Scriptures. What to do without them? Despair comes to mind.

Because of God's promises one can rest in hope. Death isn't the end, it is the beginning of eternity. God has a plan. He will redeem all things. Life has meaning. Life has promise. Death has hope. Thank you, Lord. Psalms 116.15