Where, O Death, Is Your Sting?

Yesterday while standing in a queue to cast my vote (yes, it’s voting time in South Africa ), I heard the sad news that an old friend and neighbour of ours had passed away. He and his wife were on their way to vote and as he locked the front door he collapsed on the porch and died.

After placing my mark next to the party of my choice, I walked over to the house of the bereaved. Dozens of cars were parked at her house. Inside friends were rallying around the widow, others were making tea and still others were helping the people from the funeral services who’d come to collect the old man. This is life in a small town. People all know each other; they celebrate life together and they are there for each other during sad times.

This couple was born here; they knew each other as youngsters, went to school here; later they married and farmed a few kilometres outside town. Twenty years ago they handed the farming over to their son and moved into town. Their house is just four doors from mine. Having celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July 2008, they were the couple with the longest marriage in town.

As I sat next my dear old friend and stroked her hand, I thought how fragile life is. The deceased (who was 87) had a long and full life. You could see by his conduct and lifestyle that he was faithful and lived God’s way. Yet yesterday morning when he walked out of his house, who’d have thought it was for the last time? It’s heartbreaking for those left behind to reconcile to their loss. Nevertheless you cannot get a Christian down who has his focus on heaven. When a loved one goes home to be with God, it is actually a time of rejoicing.

If you've just lost a loved one or are experiencing heartache, why not turn to Jesus? He is there for us; all we have to do is accept Him as Lord and Saviour, follow Him and He'll care for us.

Jesus said: "I have told you these things that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. "John 16:33