The hope of the resurrection

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus was much more poignant for us this year. On Wednesday of last week we found out that one of the guys who had been coming to our young adult fellowship since the fall had passed away suddenly at work. He was in his twenties and worked at Pixar as a storyboard artist. He had a heart transplant when he was 12, but had been doing great and no one saw it coming. He brought an amazing amount of joy and life to our community, we were so blessed to have him around for the time he was here. I personally wish I had gotten to know him better and enjoy the amazing person God created him to be.

So it was with this at the forefront of our minds that we came to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord. It brought comfort to us knowing that Justin is now with Christ, which is better by far (Phil. 1:23), and that the hope of the resurrection awaits him, and us, when Christ returns. We are still sad and miss him dearly, but thankfully we can mourn as those who have hope of better things to come.

I hope and pray that the reality of Jesus' death and resurrection and the hope of our own resurrection has hit home for you this Easter season as well! May we learn to put our lives in perspective as David did in this psalm:

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you."

Psalm 39:4-7