Remembering to always be ready
My 45-year-old niece Angie died unexpectedly this past Sunday in Portland, Ore. — the day before Memorial Day. Remembering her, other loved ones who have gone before, and those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy has brought a flood of mixed emotions and thoughts over the past several days.
Angie was the first child born to my oldest brother Charles (affectionately renamed “Chiz” by me in high school), who was my hero growing up — being my “personal body guard” and best example of Jesus a young aspiring Jesus-follower could ask for. And so she was a “special niece,” who at the age of 4 was flower girl for our wedding in 1976.
Unfortunately, post-graduate studies and career locations kept our relationship long-distant and periodic through the years, but she still retained her “special status” in my heart and mind. And so, her sudden and unexpected passing hit me hard. Added to the early and unexpected passing of another brother and niece, my personal “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) includes loved ones of wide-ranging ages. Ultimately, remembering and honoring those who have gone before us — and hoping to see them again — should motivate us to be ready ourselves when our time comes.
The passage just cited and verses following remind us of this motivating truth: “There-fore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
“Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus” and “consider Him” are just two other ways of saying “remember Him” and what He has done for us, in order for us to have the hope of seeing our loved ones again — when our time comes. Several times in the Gospels Jesus said we must “be ready”, as a bride waiting for the arrival of her bridegroom. We “get ourselves ready” by not only remembering what He’s done for us, but accepting it as our only means of salvation and hope for eternal life.
My prayer is that remembering loved ones who have gone before you will remind you of what Jesus has done for you to make it possible to see them again, and that trusting in Him alone will give you the assurance that you will! I love you Angie — see you soon!
Pastor Jon L. Pomeroy is pastor at Sandpoint Church of God. He can be reached at 221 S Division Ave., Ste. A, Sandpoint; or by phone at 208-263-6629.