learning DAILY

Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  Paul

For the person that do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, death can be a fearful event.  The Life in the Spirit Study Bible give this note on Philippians 1:21, “True Believers in Christ need not fear death.  They know that God has a purpose for their living and that death, when it comes, is simply the end of their earthly mission and the beginning of a greater life with Christ.”  I used to tell students that death was like walking through a door; it was like walking from one room into another. 

For the apostle Paul, this statement was both his motive and his mission.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary gives these thoughts about Paul’s life, “The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it.  The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it.”  His goal, his desire was to be with Christ in heaven but he knew that his mission on earth was not complete.  It was the knowledge of being with Christ for eternity that made his labor on earth worthwhile.

Charlotte’s mother found herself in the arms of Jesus yesterday morning; she had walked through that door, hearing Jesus tell her “well done good and faithful servant”.  She was close to age 96 and had served the Lord faithfully for many years, touching many many lives.  I happened to be one of them.  One Sunday morning (no church!!!) my parents and I took her daughter to visit my grandparents.  Eunice did not like that and told Charlotte “that’s what happens when you date someone who isn’t a Christian!”  What a surprise for me because I went to church, Sunday School, and youth organizations and thought I was a Christian.  It had an obvious affect on me as you can tell.  Over the years our discussions about the Lord became pretty thought provoking.  I remember having the opportunity to speak at the Hansell Methodist Church and watching her as I spoke.  Her eyes very seldom looked up causing me to wonder if I had her approval or not.  She meant a lot to many people who were involved in her Sunday School classes, her friends and neighbors and family.   We had the opportunity to have her in our home until it was necessary for her to go to a nursing facility.  She enjoyed sitting on our deck, watching the cars through our fence, telling us we had too many trees; it was fun hearing her laughter at silly things.  She was ready to go to be with Jesus and told us that.  I always replied she was going in the rapture of the church with us; I was wrong. 

Rest in peace, Eunice!  We will see you soon.

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