This is my least favorite day of the year. I always dread March 3rd, because of the memories it brings.
36 years ago today my brother Eddie was killed in a car accident at 17 years old. Even after all these years my family still feels his absence, especially on those rare occasions we are all able to get together. Grief is a pain which never fully heals.
However; as much as I may dread March 3rd, it is also a day for celebration, because with each passing year we draw one step closer to seeing Eddie again.
You see, one of the joys of being a Christian is we know that, for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, death is but a rest stop on the way to Heaven. There is a better day just over the horizon, “…for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth….” John 5:28 NKJV.
On that great day “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
As the glory of the Lord splits the sky, we, reunited with Eddie and all the others we have lost along the way, will together lift our voices in a mighty shout of victory, declaring, “O Death, where is your sting?O Grave, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55.
Never again will we have to say goodbye. Never again will grief tear at our souls for “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
Today our family remembers the joy Eddie brought to our lives. Today our hearts grieve from our loss. But today, and everyday till Jesus comes, we also rejoice. Someday very soon will see Eddie again, then together “…we shall always be the Lord.”
My friends, “…do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” Instead, rejoice!
Death is not the end – a better day is on its way!