The Proper Perspective

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:4-6

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Rev 14:13

In life we all have certain perceptions and perspectives. Prior to two weeks ago I had a certain perception of death but I had no perspective on it because I had not experienced that as a reality with anyone really close to me. When you experience death, the true absence of never having the opportunity to see a person again this side of heaven, it changes your perspective.

When I left Dallas a few Sundays ago I knew that my grandmother was ill but I did not fully encompass the fact that she was near death till I got to speak to her on Sunday Night. My grandmother was not only a strong believer but she lived what she believed – a rarity in life. She was truly the most selfless person I have ever met, a woman who fed, clothed, and loved total strangers, she didn’t just talk about the gospel or sing about it, or read about it, she lived it. Even as my grandmother was preparing for death she wanted us to read her scripture and sing her songs of the faith that was not just a story or past time to her but was her life. It was because of my grandmother being a Godly Christian Mother and Example that I was able to have a mother who was a Godly Christian Example so that I can be a father who sets Godly Christian Example one day.

As we finished the funeral on Thursday I can truly say that my perspective on life was changed through death. My grandmother was not a very financially wealthy person, she didn’t have many awards or accomplishments, she never went to college and never had a long successful career, but at her time of death one can only hope to impact as many people as she did for the kingdom. Testimony after testimony at her memorial service told of how she had utilized every breath to point back to the one who had given it to her.

Thus my perception of death has changed and impacted my perception of life. The questions that I have asked myself the past week I will ask of you; What are you doing with your time here on earth? Is it wasted or are you using every second that you are given to make a difference in the eternity of those around you? I know I waste a lot of time doing things that are meaningless and do not place enough time in doing the things that are eternal. My perception of my life has changed through a new perception of death – my life is not my own but is given to me to be first and foremost worship God and to second point others to know God.Maybe you can evaluate your own life today as well and ponder upon how your life can better fulfill these purposes.

You should be the praise of every tongue, Jesus

You should be the joy of every heart

But until the fullness of Your kingdom comes

Until the final revelation dawns

Send us out

-Matt Redman-