Final Chapter John and I had several conversations with specific instructions about what the other person should do when this day came. Of course I initiated this pact when I ask him to sing and play I Will Rise by Tomlin on my Big Day, he would reassuringly reply like many others have, your not going anywhere, youll probably wind up doing mine. I would reply Ok, John lets be serious then we would proceed with my other wishes. Eventually, I listened to his request and there were specific things he did and did not want. He made one thing clear about His Day, and that was he wanted no sadness on the day we Celebrate his life. As difficult as it is letting go of someone you love, you really should not forsake their final wishes. Any time someone would say things like Im worried about you or concerned he would abruptly interrupt them and reminded them Im ok, Everything is going to be just fine and the now famous line Gods Got This. From the very first minute following his interrupted colonoscopy on December 10, 2012 until the final breath was exhaled on November 14, 2013, God did have this. The this was John. God used him so powerfully as an example to so many. Painstaking attempts are being made to present a celebratory smile and a hallelujah, he is now safe with Jesus just like he expected me to do. Furthermore, Gods word teaches us there is eternal security for those that believe in God and walk in the narrow Way. Our beloved is secure with Jesus and we should have no concern. That should settle it, shouldnt it? Sounds simple, doesnt it? Well there is the love quotient that has to be accounted for. We are created in the image of God and God is Love. Being separated immediately from someone you love will certainly create some strange feelings that must be worked through and not ignored. The phone isnt going to ring, we are not grabbing another lunch, no more stories to share, not even a timely prayer. Death is final and the reality has been setting in. Therefore, both John and Jesus will have to be patient with my humanity while I grieve my temporary separation from them for a short moment more. I celebrate the fact they are in eternity, but for now I see through wet salty eyes and possess a heavy heart of flesh. Since Jesus wept and he was 100% God and man I realize He is able to understand my burden of temporary separation from someone loved. The hyper spiritual might see me with a moist collar, red eyes and nose and possibly presume weakness, biblical ignorance, or even question whether I realize there is hope. Oh yeah. I know there is hope and I believe my scale is well balanced. John is doing just fine and I will be too...soon. I love deeply when I love. And I love John but, I also love Jesus. Thank God I have Jesus. Thank you Jesus for John. Thank you Jesus for speaking through John to me. Thank you Jesus for bringing us together on earth and for one day soon bringing us back together with you. Thank you Jesus for being all I need, for its when youre all I have that I realize you are more than enough. Thank you Jesus for being good to me. Thank you Jesus for your patience while I grieve my friend. Thank you Jesus for those that are left on the earth to love, as well as those that left off the earth I loved. Thank you Jesus for walking with me down this difficult road that leads to a narrow gate for I know that it leads to my salvation. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. Matthew 7:14 John walked a difficult road and at the end found salvation because he trusted Jesus. We watched him follow Him. He wasnt a perfect man but he was making progress. Most important he was a forgiven man. Soon I will face my own passage into eternity and you will too. We all felt this time came much too soon for John. You and I will likely feel the same about our passages. When that day is this day, what will be written about you? It does really, seriously matter. Reflect on this question until you arrive at a conclusion. There is one or another way this road leads but only the two. They are going in opposite directions. The opposite way is wide, fast and furious. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. Matthew 7:13 Will everyone wonder which gate, which road you traveled? Where would your road lead if you made it to the gate right now? Destruction or Salvation Have you ever considered that question before? You can be confident in your eternal destination. You shouldnt be concerned you crossed the line of too many unforgivable things. You might feel like its too late, but its not. Another one of Johns wishes was to make sure all his family and friends heard more about Jesus than about John. I promised him I would make it happen. This is not my attempt to write Johns story but instead I am finishing the story just the way we discussed it. Making more about Jesus than John. Heaven and earth will continue to exist. Life will go on for most reading this. Focusing on Jesus will allow those of us that loved John the most to learn to crawl once again after we get back up. Then to walk, jog and run again. The Bible speaks to grief in many passages in the old books as well as the new. I share these few: ...weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning Psalm 30:5 (nasb) God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort! Matthew 5:4 (CEV) He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 (NLT) Could Johns last chapter of his story be used to inspire you. Can God use it to be the first chapter of a new beginning for you? Throughout this last eleven months John and I have shared an unbelievable journey of hope. There were times when John felt invincible, even convinced God healed him from stage 4 cancer. Even until the last time he had the ability to speak, John Andress kept professing God was fully in control. His last recognizable words to me were it aint over yet with a grin. He would breathe his final breath just a few days later. God remained faithful to John and now John realizes he was right it aint over yet and it never will be.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 05:06:08 +0000