Not Without Hope

As I write this, I am less than 24 hours in from finding out my grandfather has gone home to be with the Lord.

My heart is heavy. A grandparent holds a special place in your heart and life - losing their presence here on earth naturally produces sadness. But amidst my hurting heart, God has proven himself faithful. When I got off the phone with my mom in the middle of the night last night, God brought this verse to my mind.

1 Thes. 4:13 - 'But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.'

These tears that have ran down my cheeks are really tears of hope. The confidence that I will see my grandfather again. The assurance that he is no longer hurting. The assurance that he is reunited with my grandmother. The assurance that he is now in the presence of his Creator. What an amazing comfort!

The reason I have this comfort is because of my grandfather's testimony. I'm grateful for an opportunity God gave me just this past Thanksgiving. Our entire family was able to be together for the holiday and God allowed me to be able to talk with my grandfather about the Lord. He told me there was a time in his life he asked Jesus to save him.

Even earlier this morning I received a text from my mom saying my grandfather's Realtor had personally talked with my grandfather about his relationship with the Lord and confirmed my grandfather told him the same thing.

If there's something I've learned and want to share with you, friend, it's this: life is precious and we are not promised tomorrow. Do you know where you'll spend eternity? Do you know where your friends and family will?

I'm grateful God has given me this assurance for my grandfather, but I want you, reader, to also know the same thing. Eternity is too long to play with.

God says in His word that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The price to pay for this sin is death (Romans 6:23). But, in His love for us, God provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the death penalty that you and I rightfully deserve (John 3:16). And the amazing thing is, all we have to do is freely receive this gift of eternal life.

Romans 10:13 states, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Realizing you are a sinner, believing Christ died and rose again for your sins, and asking Him to forgive you and come into your heart and save you from your sin - that's all you have to do.

It's not about being a good person. It's not about going to church or being a specific denomination. It's simply about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Friend, I love you. I care about your soul. But even more than I do, Jesus does. If you haven't already made a decision to ask Christ into your heart, why not do it now? Why gamble with eternity?

I know there's noting that would make me happier than knowing you've asked the Lord to save you. And I'm confident if my grandfather could speak to you now, amongst the presence of a holy, loving and righteous Creator, his plea to you would be the same.

So, as I say 'see you later' to my grandfather, I say it in confidence. I say it knowing this is not the end. One day we'll be reunited and, together, we'll be in the perfect presence of the One who gave Himself for the world. And that is something that gives me hope!