A family friend of mine, a sister in Christ, was involved in a serious car accident last September. She was rushed to the hospital with a serious brain injury. No one knew what to expect. She was on her way to a youth rally at the local congregation and everyone was shocked to hear the news. As the dust settled the information from the doctors was disheartening. She had a very serious brain injury, that more than likely would leave her never the same again. Still, the family hung on to hope. Amidst countless days and nights of not knowing what the future would hold they hung on with what they had left. Multiple setbacks occurred and yet still this family clung to what little hope was left. As time went on the situation continued to worsen and unfortunately due to other complications from the injury she passed from this life on January 28, 2023. How do we as Christians move forward when some one so young and with so much life to live is taken from us so suddenly? We live our lives as a beacon of light amidst darkness.
Recently my wife and I took a trip to the Northeast (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, etc.) While on this trip we took a lighthouse tour in Maine. What is the job of a lighthouse? To be a beacon of light, a sense of direction, a warning of things that are out in the dark. So how can we, amidst the darkness and dreariness of this time be a beacon of light to others. How can we serve the same purpose that a lighthouse serves to warn others and serve as a sense of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.
Show others the light that is in Christ: This young lady was a true light. Involved in many mission campaigns others quickly knew that she had a bright shining light to show others the love of Jesus. Amidst this dark time let us take up the lamp that this Sister in Christ has left behind and show others the light that is found only in Christ. John 1:6 tells us that John was sent to bear witness of the Light, the light which was Christ.
Relay the message that death could happen at any moment. I am sure that the morning before this wreck, no one knew how the day would unfold, except God himself. Death comes when we least expect it. James 4:14 says that our life is just a vapor. It appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Life is short and we need to relay that message especially to those who are not in Christ.
Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Romans 12:15 tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Amidst this time of darkness let us be there for the family as they mourn the loss of a daughter and sister. But let us also rejoice knowing, as best we can, that she was a faithful member of the Lord's body. Their is most definitely a time for mourning and that looks different for everyone but let us keep the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 3:13-14 in mind "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus." As Christians we have hope that is not found anywhere else!
Continue to shine our lights amidst the storms of life. It does not take a special person to realize just show darkened with sin this temporary home is. That just means that we as Christians need to shine our light brighter. I know that is what this Sister in Christ would want us to do. Notice what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." As the storms get heavier and the wind blows stronger let our lights glow brighter! For we have Hope!
This is such a tragic event that shocked all those involved. Yet I know that this sister would want us to let our lights continue to shine and reach those who are lost. It may be easy to let the darkness of this time, this event, to dim your light or maybe even put it out. But I would encourage you to let this event help bring others to Christ. That is what she would want. That is what God would want. I hope that these words are encouraging and I hope the family knows how much I am thinking of and praying for them. This is a hard time, a trying time, but let us continue to be beacons of light amidst the darkness.