So am I

One of the realities of being a Methodist Minister is that on occasions I have to conduct funeral services of church members.  It is never an easy thing to do, especially as over time one can build up close relationships and friendships with members of the church family.  On Wednesday of this week I took a service of thanksgiving for a lady called Pearl, who had for many years been a really important figure in the life of one of my churches (now that she is no longer around, we are fully realising how much she actually did do in the life of the church!)

The service was one in which we could express our natural sadness at the passing of a friend, but it was also a service of celebration and thanksgiving, as we remembered Pearl's life and also gave thanks for her deep Christian faith.

During the service I told of an occasion some months ago when I was preaching at the church.  I had told the congregation about a close friend of ours, named Andrew, who we knew many years ago when we lived in Norwich.  Andrew had come to faith through a Billy Graham rally at Carrow Road, Norwich (someone had handed him a ticket in the street).  Andrew became a much-loved member of our church, and joined one of the home fellowship groups.  At one home group meeting the discussion had centred on the promise we have of eternal life through faith in Christ.  Jesus has conquered death, and so all who trust in him know that death is not the end, but merely the doorway into a new life in the presence of God, a life free from tears, sadness, pain and death. Andrew responded to the discussion by saying that he wasn't afraid of death, and that if he happened to die the following day he was sure of his eternal destiny.  The following day, as Andrew drove to work, he was involved in a car accident and killed outright.

When I had originally told that story in the church service a few months ago, I went on to say that if something happened to me the next day and I died, I was ready.  After the service Pearl came up to me and quietly said, "So am I!"  Even though Pearl was given a terminal cancer diagnosis a while ago, her faith held very strong.  She experienced the presence and peace of God even in recent tough times; she knew where her eternal destiny lay.

How wonderful it is to have that assurance.  How amazing it is to place our lives into God's hands and to know that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus.  Though we will greatly miss our friend, we rejoice that she is in the loving care of the One she served so faithfully.

This week saw also the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King.  He had been threatened many times for his stance against discrimination and injustice.  But a recording of the final part of a message given by him on the night before he died shows that he, too, had complete confidence in God that his eternal future was secure (to watch click here).


In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.