Transformation

 
John 5:6

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

The father of a dear friend is suffering the end stages of Congenital Heart Failure. Having gone through this exact thing with my own mother-in-law (nearly 12 years ago), I know what my friend is going through. It’s heart breaking and emotionally devastating to watch a loved one suffer so.

My friend’s father has been installed in a hospice situation where he will, most likely, remain until the end of his days. His wife, his friends, his family including his children—my friend—are destroyed by what they know is the coming end.

Yet, even in this tragedy there is still joy and hope!

²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

—Philippians 3:20-21

Believers in Christ, the Children of God, can have hope in the promise that we will be transformed! Our bodies, these wonderful but weak and finite vehicles our souls walk around in every day, will one day be changed by the savior—transformed into something magnificent and so marvelous our minds cannot yet comprehend it—and we will be like Him! What’s more? Our new selves will be in the presence of the glory of the Lord!

My joy in that eventuality is beyond measure.

Although the pain and anguish one feels at the loss of a truly treasured and admired loved one is devastating. It is important to remember … although they are going where we cannot follow—FOR NOW—we will one day see them again and when we do they will be existing in pure joy! They will be happier than we have ever seen them! They will be more beautiful—healthier, stronger, bolder and so much more—than we can ever imagine here on earth. 

While their “transformation” in the here and now is a terrible thing to witness it is but a passage to something so much more…something beautiful.

I am hurting for my friend as she hurts for her father. Yet, both of us know there is joy and hope in Jesus.

If you are facing a similar loss I pray for you as I pray for her…

Father, I praise your heart and the comfort and peace that can be found within. While I repent of any and all of those things I’ve done this day to hurt your heart, I know you forgive me for you have said, “…for whosoever believes in him shall have everlasting life.” I ask today for comfort for my friend, her father and all those they both love and I pray for others who may be facing this or a similar situation. Change is sometimes terrifying…especially when it involves loss. Help them all to remember that THIS change is leading to something extraordinary. Comfort them and calm them and give them surcease—an end to their sorrow—and fill their hearts with joy instead, as they realize where this journey will end. I yield this situation to you, Oh Lord, and pray in the name of Jesus, our Returning Savior. Amen.