The Terrible Wonderful Life
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Eight days ago the Dawson family was enjoying a normal day of work and school. Robbie serves as Youth and Young Adult Pastor - and Erika, Communications Coordinator at Parkridge Church in Coral Springs, Florida. Robbie is one of five pastors, along with our son Lane at Parkridge Church.
At the end of her workday, Erika left for home.
Hours later, life dramatically changed!
Robbie returned home to discover that his beautiful (young and vibrant) wife had stepped into the presence of Jesus.- - - -
It’s difficult to process and to understand WHY and HOW something so tragic could have taken place in the lives of these loving and faithful followers of Jesus. The world responds with cynicism and mockery regarding how a good God could allow such tragedy.
But for the Believer, our choice is to trust in God’s Sovereignty, anchoring our faith in Him when heartache, doubt, and hopelessness jump in to hi-jack our peace.
Last Sunday, four days after Erika’s Home-going, Pastor Eddie delivered God’s hope and encouragement to the many who filled that place of worship. It was a CALL to trust God during tragedy when confusion explodes inside hearts and minds.
Here’s my paraphrase of a small portion of his message - which is accurately meaningful to every Believer in Jesus, when tragedy strikes. It’s couched in John 16, and is for us – right here, right now.
(You can find the message in its entirety @ parkridgechurch.com)
Life Brings Confusion – That’s Reality
John 16 records a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. They had not yet put together all the pieces of what was about to happen. Jesus speaks to His friends, knowing that each one would either be martyred or exiled. He speaks in figurative language, along with the object lesson of a woman giving birth in pain, but experiencing sheer JOY at the birth of her baby.
His words outlining the future - what was about to happen, made no sense at all to those bewildered disciples.
Jesus Understands Our Confusion
This combination of “pain, sadness, and joy talk” caused them to question among themselves, What is He saying and what does He mean?
Jesus knew what was in their hearts, so He addresses their struggling questions.
Is this what You are asking yourselves?
God knows we can’t possibly understand WHY HE ALLOWS TRAGEDY IN OUR LIVES. He understands our heartache and our grappling with the unfair and unreasonable circumstances this world sometimes hurls at us.
He understands that we sometimes forget (and dismiss) that we live in a broken world with broken people.
In Our Struggling, He Calls Us To Trust Him
He, knowing we can’t POSSIBLY comprehend it all, wants us to run to Him – trusting Him when NOTHING makes sense.
Jesus comments to His friends that night . . . Here's the truth; you will weep and mourn – but your grief will turn to joy.
HOW CAN THIS BE?
It is so counterintuitive to think of sorrow & suffering turning into Joy.
And yet, JESUS!
God is miraculous and HE can do it.
HE SEES WHAT WE CAN’T SEE. HE KNOWS WHAT WE CAN’T KNOW.
HE SEES THE ENTIRE STORY, WHILE WE SEE ONLY WHAT’S IN FRONT OF US.
HE KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS TRAGEDY.
HE KNOWS THAT – ONE DAY – ALL OF OUR HOPES AND DREAMS WILL BE
TOTALLY MET IN HIM.
And, by faith, here’s what WE know –
Erika Dawson is not dead, she’s alive!
In fact, she’s more alive than she’s ever been. She has “sweetly and simply” stepped into the presence of Jesus. She beat us THERE, receiving a royal welcome into His Arms. One glorious day we will join her.
"Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into His Kingdom that will last forever.” (2 Peter 1:11 CEV)
- - - - -- - - -
Erika’s Home-going service is now scheduled. There will be a packed-out crowd watching, listening, observing and wondering . . . how in the world this family can handle such a tragic loss.
Robbie will let them know, for in his heartache coupled with disbelief and confusion – he KNOWS it has nothing to do with this world – and he will share that truth as his heart and soul hurt.
The hope that fills his heart in the midst of grief – is where his faith rests and where his soul is anchored. He will share the gospel of Jesus in a strong way that day, in the conviction that he will be with her once again.
Death IS our enemy. Death robs us of the ones we love. Death steals our moments with them. For this reason it is so painful when those we love die. We were not made to die – but to live.
“He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (Mark 12:27)
Challenges lie ahead for this family. A husband is grieving the loss of his wife. Children are grieving the loss of their mother. Parents are grieving the loss of their child. Siblings are grieving the loss of their sister.
The Parkridge church family is also facing challenges: The youth and young adults are struggling in their grief as their pastor hurts and is not with them. Erika's role as Communications Coordinator is left vacant, while there are continual reminders throughout the facility that she is no longer with them. There will be extra effort to do the work that Robbie and Erika have responsibly done for years. The entire church staff and membership mourn her death and seek to console and offer the practical love of Jesus to this family, and to each other.
Meanwhile, the Joy of Jesus will keep Robbie moving. He will be reminded that JOY IS A PLACE WHEN IT IS NOT A FEELING.
The TRUTH of Who God is and Who we are in Him through Jesus, The Christ - will keep all of them - and us moving!
Knowing that God has defeated our last enemy – DEATH – keeps us filled with joy as we look forward to stepping into His presence, fully alive in Christ.
Meanwhile, when tribulation hits, we can be confident and comforted by Who is truly in charge.
”In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world!”
(words of Jesus to each of us – John 16:33)
