Past Tense

News hits harder when you're not expecting it. That's why hearing about my friend's death has left me feeling pretty empty.

Sandy, a former coworker of mine, was not a believer, but seemed to be interested. I visited her and her husband several times after I retired. I spoke to them both about the love of Jesus. However, there is a big difference between 'interest' and 'surrender.'

My friend told me that she had done too many bad things in her life to ever have hope of being forgiven. Oh, my dear Sandy. You did not know the grace and mercy that awaited you! And that's the problem. People don't KNOW about the life-giving power of Jesus. And why not?

We are not doing enough preaching and people are not doing enough believing. We need to be praying more than we do because we can't MAKE people believe. Only God and His Holy Spirit can do that.

My friend Sandy is gone now and I can't change that. But I CAN change my effort to speak to others about Jesus. I can increase the frequency and intensity of my prayers. And who knows, maybe Sandy finally did place her faith in Jesus before she died. I cling to that hope and seek comfort in the One who wishes that NO ONE should perish.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

But there IS a time limit. Our own mortality.

Did you notice that my words about Sandy were written in the past tense? Was, seemed, visited, spoke, etc. If my friend is a child of God (present tense) I wouldn't be mourning. I would be celebrating.

Jesus spoke about this.

"Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. ³⁸Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” - Luke 20:37-38

"Is," not 'was."

May my boldness increase, Lord. May my words speak the truth in love to those who need to hear. May the world come to know your life-changing power, and may your love rain down on those who thirst. Only in the shelter of your wings can they find peace and eternal life in your presence. Lord, we thank you and praise you for this gift you have given us. May we use it for your glory and not ours. For you Lord are the life giver and sustainer. Have mercy on my friend's soul, Lord. It is in your precious name I pray. Amen.

Ancient of Days - CityAlight