Then He Was Gone!

October 15, 2020

Then He Was Gone!

I visited with him just a few weeks ago.  He told me there were no more treatments for his cancer.  He had been through the conventional medications and through several trial medications, too.  For a while, some worked.  But in the end, the disease was unrelenting.

As we visited, it was clear that his faith in Jesus was still strong.  At the same time, he could voice a question or two.  I know he would have appreciated an answer.  But, I did not have the answers for which he longed most. 

I reassured him that there would come a time when he would know the answers or that his questions would no longer matter. 

I have often quipped that when I get to heaven I have some questions for Jesus.  I have walked with families through some awful things and I have experienced some things I pray you never have to experience.  So, I have some questions for Jesus.  Most of my questions start with, “Why…?”

A man named “Job” lost his house, his livestock, his children, and his health.  With so much misery, Job asks the Lord God, “Why?”  In Job 3:20 we hear Job’s question; “Why does God let me live when life is miserable and so bitter?”

I have some questions for Jesus when I get to heaven.  But, I wonder if when I stand in front of our Savior the questions will even matter.  I wonder if the Father’s glory and Jesus’ love and the Spirit’s presence will so overwhelm me and encourage me and awe me that my puny questions will melt away.

I am reminded of Isaiah’s description of the Lord God’s heavenly throne room.  In Isaiah 6:1-4 we hear; “…I had a vision of the Lord.  He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple.  Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him.  They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more.  They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful!  The earth is filled with your glory.’  As they shouted, the doorposts of the temple shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.”  The glory of the Lord fills us with wonder!

I was surprised the end came more quickly than I imagined.  I realize now that our most recent conversation was our last conversation and that our most recent prayer was our last prayer.  I know now that he was saying, “Thank you!” and “Good-Bye!”

Then he was gone!

I first met him early one morning at Starbucks several years ago.  He would read the newspaper and enjoy a cup of coffee while I would work on a writing a message and sip an iced tea.  Our first interactions were little more than a courteous, “Hello!”  But with time, we began engaging more. 

I learned that he was a person of deep faith in Jesus, very well read in the Bible, and dedicated to daily Bible reading, study, and prayer.  And, I learned that he did not attend any church.  That was OK with me. 

One day he shared that he was facing a hard challenge.  Someone was doing something to him and it was changing his life and his life-style.  He had no control and there seemed to be no resolution.  As the situation went on and on, we walked the journey together as we were seeking Jesus’ guidance. 

And then came the diagnosis of cancer.  Again, his faith was strong and his hope inspiring.  We prayed together and I committed to pray for him.  We often visited about prayer.  He believed prayer made a powerful difference.

The cancer backed off and for a while his life was better.  Then some months later, the cancer came back and raged with fury in his body.  His name was often on my prayer list.

The Covid virus shut down Starbucks last Spring so our interactions over the last seven months shifted to phone conversations…except for our last visit a few weeks ago.

Then he was gone.

I am glad I had the opportunity to know him and pray for and with him.  We became friends of sorts.  I enjoyed our relationship.  Today, I take delight in the Lord who crossed our paths and our prayers.  I hope you take delight in the Lord for the people He has brought into your life.

Delight in the Lord,

Doug