And we KNOW that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
I love how God can take our messes and turn them into masterpieces! Our message this morning was just that. Our pastor, ever so gracefully and with God's help, answered some questions about the passing of our youth pastor one week ago today. Questions like, "Where was God in all this?", "How did we not know?", "Why didn't he come to us and ask us for help?", and the biggest question of all was "Where is he now?"
Most of the questions about a suicide will never be answered this side of Heaven, but Jonathan gave us the best answers he could. He assured us that God is ever present. He was there that afternoon that Matt chose to take his own life; but there was also another spirit there, a darker spirit. Matt made a poor choice. Yes, God was there. He was powerful enough to stop this. However, when God created His children, he created us with a free will- a blessing and a curse. Matt chose this, God did not. Satan might have won this battle, but we all know he will NOT win the war!
Another question was "How did we not know what was going on?". "Why didn't Matt talk to someone?" Do you broadcast your feelings to the world? Some people, like Matt, are very private. They either try to work things out themselves or put their worries into fixing other peoples problems. Why do we, as Christians, think that our lives have to be perfect? Can we not take off the front for one minute and actually ask for help? God told us it would not be easy, that we would have sorrow and pain and sufferings. So, why do we try to hide these things? God places people in our lives to help us, to guide us. Seek God in all things and know that sorrow may last through the night, but JOY comes in the morning!
Lastly, the big question that's on every body's mind is, "Where is Matt today?" Let me just say that I'm not 100% sure because I didn't know Matt's relationship with God, no one did but Matt and God. We only saw the outward expression of his relationship with Christ which led everyone to believe he was saved. Now, nowhere in the Bible (to my knowledge) does it give the punishment for taking one's own life. The only unpardonable sin recorded is blasphemy, and if there is another one I'm pretty sure it would have made it's way into our Bible. I said earlier that Matt gave into the enemy and made a poor choice. If God disowned us every time we made a mistake then we would all be in trouble and none of us would have the assurance of making it to heaven. We mess up all the time. Praise God that He loves us enough to forgive us and He accepts us just the way we are!
The question that I have is, how can anybody that knows my God think that he/she has no hope. That the best solution is to take one's own life and leave behind a family that loves you. Maybe he was tired of the sufferings on earth and wanted to go home to be with Jesus? I don't know. I don't think he was in his right mind when he did this. I just can't wrap my mind around this. We were told this morning not to judge Matt. I have to say that this past week Andrew and I have been discussing this and trying to figure out the why's and the how's, and I have to admit that I've been angry at this man whom I didn't even know. I was mad because of this selfish act of choosing death over life. I mean, obviously this guy had never lost anyone close to him and couldn't possibly know the grief and heartache it is of losing someone (I don't know this for sure, I'm just venting.) How could he do this to his wife and children? Did he not love them enough to stay? to watch his children grow? to grow old with his wife? I've thought all these things this week but this morning I was reminded that I have no right to cast judgment. That's not my job. He has already received his judgment. So I will try to think positive thoughts about Matt, hoping that he is in the presence of our Lord!
Today is Valentine's day. A day to go out of our way to show those people that are close to our hearts that we love them. Wouldn't it be great if we did this everyday? If we could show everyone we love just how much we love them, then maybe we could touch a life that might be suffering and confused. We don't know how long we have here on earth. We only have today! Do something good. Ask for help. Say, "I love you." You never know when those chances will be taken away from you. Go! Show God's love to someone!
I love how God can take our messes and turn them into masterpieces! Our message this morning was just that. Our pastor, ever so gracefully and with God's help, answered some questions about the passing of our youth pastor one week ago today. Questions like, "Where was God in all this?", "How did we not know?", "Why didn't he come to us and ask us for help?", and the biggest question of all was "Where is he now?"
Most of the questions about a suicide will never be answered this side of Heaven, but Jonathan gave us the best answers he could. He assured us that God is ever present. He was there that afternoon that Matt chose to take his own life; but there was also another spirit there, a darker spirit. Matt made a poor choice. Yes, God was there. He was powerful enough to stop this. However, when God created His children, he created us with a free will- a blessing and a curse. Matt chose this, God did not. Satan might have won this battle, but we all know he will NOT win the war!
Another question was "How did we not know what was going on?". "Why didn't Matt talk to someone?" Do you broadcast your feelings to the world? Some people, like Matt, are very private. They either try to work things out themselves or put their worries into fixing other peoples problems. Why do we, as Christians, think that our lives have to be perfect? Can we not take off the front for one minute and actually ask for help? God told us it would not be easy, that we would have sorrow and pain and sufferings. So, why do we try to hide these things? God places people in our lives to help us, to guide us. Seek God in all things and know that sorrow may last through the night, but JOY comes in the morning!
Lastly, the big question that's on every body's mind is, "Where is Matt today?" Let me just say that I'm not 100% sure because I didn't know Matt's relationship with God, no one did but Matt and God. We only saw the outward expression of his relationship with Christ which led everyone to believe he was saved. Now, nowhere in the Bible (to my knowledge) does it give the punishment for taking one's own life. The only unpardonable sin recorded is blasphemy, and if there is another one I'm pretty sure it would have made it's way into our Bible. I said earlier that Matt gave into the enemy and made a poor choice. If God disowned us every time we made a mistake then we would all be in trouble and none of us would have the assurance of making it to heaven. We mess up all the time. Praise God that He loves us enough to forgive us and He accepts us just the way we are!
The question that I have is, how can anybody that knows my God think that he/she has no hope. That the best solution is to take one's own life and leave behind a family that loves you. Maybe he was tired of the sufferings on earth and wanted to go home to be with Jesus? I don't know. I don't think he was in his right mind when he did this. I just can't wrap my mind around this. We were told this morning not to judge Matt. I have to say that this past week Andrew and I have been discussing this and trying to figure out the why's and the how's, and I have to admit that I've been angry at this man whom I didn't even know. I was mad because of this selfish act of choosing death over life. I mean, obviously this guy had never lost anyone close to him and couldn't possibly know the grief and heartache it is of losing someone (I don't know this for sure, I'm just venting.) How could he do this to his wife and children? Did he not love them enough to stay? to watch his children grow? to grow old with his wife? I've thought all these things this week but this morning I was reminded that I have no right to cast judgment. That's not my job. He has already received his judgment. So I will try to think positive thoughts about Matt, hoping that he is in the presence of our Lord!
Today is Valentine's day. A day to go out of our way to show those people that are close to our hearts that we love them. Wouldn't it be great if we did this everyday? If we could show everyone we love just how much we love them, then maybe we could touch a life that might be suffering and confused. We don't know how long we have here on earth. We only have today! Do something good. Ask for help. Say, "I love you." You never know when those chances will be taken away from you. Go! Show God's love to someone!
Very well said Kristi. I'm so glad we are not the judge for anyone.
ReplyDeleteI love you very much and I'm enjoying reading your blog.
Kim