Rest In Glory

Yesterday, a dear brother and friend returned to the arms of our Lord and Saviour. Some losses carry a deeper weight because of the depth of the connection, and the value of the relationship.

While sitting with this sad news, I realised that there is a unique tension that comes with losing someone in Christ. On one hand, we know they are with the Lord. On the other, there is the realisation that we will not see them again until it is our turn to pass from this life into the next. This tension is heavy. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul speaks about this very tension, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

In Revelation 21:4, we are told, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Death carries a weight that we are not always able to reconcile. We know the truth of God’s Word concerning it, yet our hearts still ache, revealing our humanity. When we hear about death, it is often associated with darkness, pain, and fear. Yet Christ teaches us otherwise. He shows us, as believers, that death is not something to fear, but a transition from a life of temporary earthly struggle due to sin into an eternal life of glory with Him.

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

This makes me question whether we sometimes view life and death the wrong way around.

If this life is temporary, why do we cling to it so tightly? What are we afraid of losing by letting go? Why do we hold so firmly to something we know is fleeting? Would we not rather eagerly look forward to eternal life, the real life, the life we will spend with Christ, and in doing so, begin to rightly embrace the reality of death?

We often treat this present life as though it is ultimate, permanent, and something we must protect at all costs, while viewing death as the tragedy. Yet Scripture teaches the opposite order, that this life is temporary, and death for the believer is the transition into what is eternal.

My prayer is that God will continue to teach me, and teach us, how to navigate our understanding of death. It is not an easy thing to think about. Yet the only way to overcome the fear and uncertainty surrounding death is through Christ Himself.

In John 11:25–26, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

We must learn to embrace death, not in a morbid way, but by understanding it rightly, and only the Holy Spirit can help us come to terms with what that truly means.

Jesus was not afraid of death. He conquered it. He has authority over it, and the glory we experience today flowed from that very place.

As we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 15:54–57:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And in Acts 17:28, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You that You are near to the brokenhearted and gentle with our questions.

Even when we do not fully understand death, we trust the One who has overcome it.

Teach us, Holy Spirit, to grieve honestly and hope faithfully.

Where fear settles, let Your peace rest.

Where sorrow feels overwhelming, remind us that You are close.

Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life.

Because of You, death is not the end, but the beginning of fullness.

Help us to hold this truth without denying our pain or the deep ache of missing our loved ones.

We place our lives and our loved ones into Your hands, trusting that we are held securely in You, now and forever.

Amen.

To all my brothers and sisters who have gone to be with the Lord,

Rest In Glory.