‘Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’ Luke 12 v6-7, NIV
God has a very different way of looking at things. Take death for example. Death to us is final, something to fear maybe, something to avoid talking about, something that can cause us to grieve forever. I do not think that we were intended to experience death. I think if we had stayed in the Garden and left the apple well alone we wouldn’t be going to funerals. Relationships last forever. That’s why it’s so hard for us when someone we love dies.
Jesus was overcome with grief before He brought back His friend Lazarus from the tomb. Part of His grief was about death as we now experience it on this planet. But there is another perspective. I was reading a very old book last night, written by a Bishop and Prince of Geneva in the C17th. He is writing to a mother who has lost her child. Whilst he does not deny the extent of her grief, he gently explains that her child is now free from suffering, free from pain and in God’s country where love is the air that is breathed.
Death marks new beginnings. Death brings new life. Yesterday, a much loved friend of mine told me a story of something that had happened to him recently. He wrote -
I had been terribly stressed and depressed for a while so one lunch time I went for a walk down a country lane opposite to where I work. I then remembered a friend’s story of how God often speaks to her on a walk. She had experienced a barn owl flying out from nowhere and flying in a straight line in front of her… God said he was making a straight path for her. On another occasion she saw two doves flying very closely together as the sun shine illuminated their wings… God was talking to her about intimacy.
Full of anticipation about what the Lord might want to show me on my walk… literally seconds after thinking about my friends experiences, I looked over a gate and was greeted by the sight of about 10 dead pigeons all stacked up! I’m not sure I want to know what the Lord might want to be telling me…or what 10 dead pigeons mean… but I think it was His sense of humor… he wants us to have a good laugh sometimes… which I did… and I felt a whole lot better for it.
Here’s something to keep you warm today. Not one sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge, how much more does He understand your life, your challenges, frustrations, limitations and need for Him. Death is not the end in God’s eyes. He is the God of your past, your present and your future. Death is only a new beginning. There is no need to be afraid, His love will light the way.
Jesus said ‘no one comes to the Father except through me.’ You may have loved a child or a person who has died and you are left feeling hopeless about them. I believe that God does amazing things as we pass from this life into the next, Jesus has made the way and even at the moment of death that way remains open. Not one sparrow…
He believes in you. Have a good day 
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the way you explain death and I agree with you. But how do you explain suicidal death? People who take this step definitely has no fear for death. But is it also a new beginning? Just wondering…
You have a wonderful day/ weekend too.
Cheers.
Hi Lion Girl – Great name!
Very good question. At one point in my life I was around people where there was so little hope that occasionally someone would kill themselves. It’s a subject that is very difficult and clouded in a lot of misinformation and strong opinion. My thoughts are, until you have been to that point, it’s very hard to have an opinion. I’m going to write about it on Monday because I would like to give you a proper answer. I’ll post as usual at http://www.clairesteaparty.com on Monday.
Let me know what you think. It’s good to talk.
xxC