If I'm Gone

My dearest, sweetest Loves,

In the past two years, four parents of your friends have lost a parent. If I am gone too soon, please know it was not too soon. My time on this earth was up, and I am rejoicing in the heavens watching over you. I am patiently awaiting your arrival in heaven as well, when we will be reunited. Don't ever think of cutting your time on earth short. You have a destiny to fulfill, and that is to be completed whether I am on this earth or in it. Please know that God did not take me from you, nor did He do this to you. Each of us are given a purpose here on earth, and my purpose came to fruition.

The question you should be asking is not, "Why did this happen?" or even, "Why did God let this happen?" The question should be, "Why not?" Think about it. MY purpose was finished, and it was my time to ascend to the heavenly places to take my crown of jewels. So please do not be angry. Please do not become bitter. My ascension to heaven does not change who you are, who you were created to be, or your purpose here on earth. You must remember the things I have told you, the things that God has said about you. Read this blog over and over again every time that you feel sad. You can remember how much I love you. I love you so much, my heart aches. You are so precious and beautiful, my meager words here cannot do you or my love justice. As I write the words, tears are streaming down my face knowing that one day you will be reading these words, and I will not be there to cuddle you and comfort you. But rest assured that God will always comfort you. He is the Great Comforter. Lean not on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him. He will give you peace. He will be your refuge in times of need. And you will need refuge. You will need comfort.

To quote Pooh Bear, "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know."

Fleeting Feelings

In our postmodernist society, we are inundated with media that tells us, "If it feels good, do it." We are told to indulge in whatever vices we desire--sex, drugs, alcohol, gluttony, whatever it may be. What's right for you may not be right for me. The only caveat we are given is to do no harm to others. Postmodernists believe that definite terms, boundaries, and absolute truth do not exist. They believe that truth is relative and truth is up to each individual to determine for him or herself. Therefore, postmodernists believe that no one has the authority to define truth or impose upon others his or her idea of moral right and wrong. Their self-rationalization of society and life then, becomes a moral relativism versus divine revelation. There can be no latter if there is only the former. This pervasive, persuasive, and perverse thinking can be seen in our movies, TV shows, news media, education system, government, and even our children.

This kind of relative morality directly contradicts the Bible. The Bible and God's truth is not relative—it is absolute, and it is never-changing. Malachi 3: 6 says, "I, the Lord, do not change." That puts it pretty plainly. But if that's not enough for you, Jesus also says in John 14:6 "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life." So if we use a little logic here, Jesus, the Lord, does not change, and neither does the Way, the Truth or the Life. None of it changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). He is the steadfast rock that is unwavering.

Feelings and emotions waver--they wax and wane; they are red-hot with passion one day, and cold as ice the next. Juliet had it right when she told Romeo, "O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon/That monthly changes in her circle orb/Lest that thy love prove likewise variable." She knew that feelings and emotions can be fleeting. As Christians, we don't get to rely on our feelings for our truth, but rather we must fully rely on God's Word and God's truth. We don't get to pick and choose which scriptures we "feel like" following.

So are we to ignore our feelings? Of course not. But we are to submit those feelings to the Holy Spirit prior to acting on them. The Bible tells us that our soul (mind, will, and emotions) is to be submitted to the Holy Spirit. So if we are Christians who submit our souls (including our feelings) to the Lord, then we must always look at our emotions in light of the Lord, the Truth and the Bible, and it isn't easy.

Even David, a man after God's own heart, had trouble submitting his soul to the Spirit. Psalm 103:1 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" This is the Psalmist speaking to his soul--to his mind, his will and his emotions--telling them to bless the Lord. He is submitting his soul to his spirit--His Spirit.

The bottom line is that it doesn't really matter how you feel. Feelings lie, and Satan can give you those feelings anyway. What matters is the Word of God, because in the Word of God is all Truth. When we use the Word of God as our yardstick to measure our lives, it is far more secure than using our ephemeral, ever-changing feelings.