God glorified in death...

Life is so short.  Of this truth, I've been sorely reminded more often than I should like.  I mean, we all know that death is “normal”.  Everyone is going to die at some point.  But it still hurts, and it's still hard.  And it's unexpected.  

My friend Dustin died, and it was unexpected.  

As has been said before, Dustin was a crazy guy!  He was the dictionary definition of goofy.  Some of my favorite memories include the time he was walking around our college campus with a gun belt and chaps.  Of course, he wasn’t just walking.  He was jumping over things, and lilting like a cowboy.  

Another time, my brother and his friends were making a music video of an original song about falling in love with a microwave.  Dustin wasn’t playing the guitar, although he did play, but rather he was in the background, dancing with the microwave!  Oh, and then there was that Spring Break skiing trip to Colorado.  Who could forget all the funny memories?!  Like everyone getting VERY sunburned and sore, and Dustin's bright blue snow pants.  

But I’m not writing only about Dustin.  Because he lived for something more, and through his death the gospel is being declared.  

I don't know how many people Dustin actually knew.  He was 24.  I don't know who he talked to.  But God is more glorified through His death.  And that was what Dustin was living for: the glory of God!     

The apostle Paul was thinking right when he said, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  Everything in our lives revolves around our relationship with God.  If we live, we live to God.  If we die, we gain eternal life with Christ forever.  Whether we live or die, Christ wins!  

I know that we serve a sovereign God, which means that He is the Supreme Ruler of everything, and nothing happens outside of God's control.  I know that God is good.  He allowed Dustin and those other firefighters to die, because in His will and goodness He would be more glorified through their death. 

Dustin's death has reminded me that each day is a gift from God.  And not a gift for myself, but so that I can serve Him more and love others through the strength that He has supplied.  It has reminded me that I could die at any moment; or have a loved one die.  Yet, being reminded of this causes me to think about what I am doing.  Is is really of any eternal value?  Is it glorifying to God?  

Thank You, Lord, for using Dustin for Your glory!  Thank You for teaching me!

It's just life, now...

There are some days that feel like they shouldn't be.

No, this isn't a melancholy statement, because I know that many of you have thought the same thing.  

Today was Tuesday.  

But all day, I had to keep looking at my phone (because calendars have escaped me) to see what day it was.  And every time the screen lit up and announced the day, I promptly thought to myself how it didn't feel like a Tuesday.

You see, it's just life now.  Life, as living and breathing and moving and loving.  It's an alarm clock in the morning, ushering in a new day.  It's the groggy hello that comes from your mirror as you walk by.  It's a creative breakfast of whatever you find in the fridge, like scrambled egg sandwiches, or a bowl of cereal with strawberries and bananas. (Don't make fun...Simple can be creative too!)  It's the lovely walk to work, a time for some exercise, memorizing verses, and praying.

Life is starting a "new" job.  Or rather, the same job, just a full-time position.  It's talking to people, hearing each individual story of God's grace.  It's investing in lives that He loves.  It's living grace to those around me.  It's ministry.  It's people.  It's life.  

God's grace for "simple" life is amazing.  Because it's the same grace, mercy, peace, and love from God that is immense enough for difficult storms and "normal, boring" life!  The same God of Moses, who championed over the Egyptians through God's power and lead an entire nation thousands of miles, is STILL MY GOD.  The same God of Paul, loves Bekah thoroughly!  

Life.  It's fascinating, really!