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Daily Devotions for the Advent and Christmas Seasons
Sunday, November 29
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
by Terry Leong
I’m a card carrying AARP member! What does that mean? It means that if I live to one hundred years old, I have reached the midway point in my life. My body has reached its prime and is on the decline. Aches and pains come and stay longer than before.
The thing about pain is that generally only you and God know it’s there. The pain doesn’t manifest itself outwardly, and so family and friends won’t know about it unless you share it with them. Pain can take a physical form like a toothache or back pain, or it may be felt in your heart, like missing a loved one. Whichever way one experiences pain, it is real.
The 1 Thessalonians reading reminds me that life is short. We will all join our maker eventually. Most of the time, the big event comes like a thief in the night, and we have no clue when it will take place. But as Christians, we know we will not be alone. We are children of the light. We support each other, encourage each other, love each other, and pray for each other. We should not fear death. When we pass on, those whom we leave behind will experience pain, but our own pain disappears.
The cycle goes on as it has through the ages. We will continue to provide our support, our encouragement, our love to the living. We may feel pain, but we will not fear it.
Prayer
Dear God, three days after Thanksgiving, and we may have overindulged. We are thankful, Lord, that we at least have that opportunity. For some, this may have been the highlight meal of the year. Lord, this is a time when we think of loved ones who have joined you and for that reason we are happy. However, Lord, the missing of a loved one sometimes weighs heavy on us, too. Years may pass, but the pain of the loss seems to grow around this time of the year. Please be with us. Please provide us with your comfort. Amen.
P.S.
I encourage you to be prepared. Get that bag together to support you for three days when the big earthquake comes. Write that will or living trust. Take a CPR course. Get those phone numbers of loved ones together. Have a disaster plan. Practice it.