My Great Aunt Mona passed away last weekend. Death is usually such a sad thing and often it can be tragic. But the passing of Aunt Mona was different. Mona was 92 years young. She was always out and about, making phone calls, and was even driving until a few months ago! She was much loved with family that adored her and many who were blessed by her life. She went peacefully in her sleep.
Just knowing those things makes her death more sweet than sad. Our memories are of a healthy, strong, and loving woman. There was no pain. She really lived a full life.
But what really turns this time of loss into a time of celebration is her faith. Mona didn't just go to church, she knew God. She was a woman of prayer. She spoke often of God and the Bible. She knew where she was going when she died because she had trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Mona is not dead. She is alive and well with her Heavenly Father. She has been separated from us, but she has been united with Christ.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
The Bible compares the death of a believer to going to sleep. Take a moment to contemplate what that imagery is telling us. When you go to sleep, you lay down and close your eyes at night to find rest. Then, when the light of day shines through the windows, you open your eyes and rise to a new day. For the believer, that is what death is like. We close our eyes at the end of our life in this world and finally get rest from all of its toil and struggles. Soon after, we will open our eyes to a new life with our Lord.
Mona closed her eyes this weekend to her life on earth. And the next time she opened them, she looked on the face of Her Savior. Her new day has only just begun with God and all who went before her. And now she joyfully awaits the day that Jesus returns to bring about the resurrection of the dead and to make all things new.
Today, be reminded of the reality of heaven. If you have put your faith in Christ, then take great joy in the future you have with Him. Get excited that not even death can separate you from the love and promises of Christ! If you're discouraged, let this hope lift you up.
If you don't share in that great hope that Mona had, realize that great hope is available to you as well. Put your faith in Jesus today!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3:16
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