6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. Col 2:7
Today, we lost a member of our men's accountability group better known as the Navigator 2:7 discipleship group. Seven guys who came together in the early '80s had the same goal to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Seven guys who kept in touch through the years despite their busy work and family schedules. Seven guys wanted to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and make Him known to those around them. Today, our friend Dave writes, " Lance officially departed his last earthly existence. He has a new, eternal body, free of ailments including a heart that is functioning perfectly." Lance's brother and sister and fiance were there when his last earthly breath was taken. In those waning moments of his life, I can imagine Lance standing at the threshold of heaven, looking back at crying family members while looking forward toward a grand welcome home celebration awaiting him.
For those earthly friends who knew Lance, the holidays can be an especially grueling time who must now adapt to the absence of his humor and playful spirit. Inside their home sits the empty chair where he once sat. At the dinner table, they will miss his unique personality that brought smiles to them.
Lance isn't alone to die in this great pandemic.
Since the pandemic began in America, we know that over 100,000 people have committed suicide and another 100,000 and counting have died from opioid overdoses besides the millions lost to this deadly virus- so many empty chairs and so much pain in the families who lost a loved one this way.
The words to this song speak eloquently of this pain.
Sometimes at night, I'd lie awake longing inside for my father's embrace
Sometimes at night, I'd wander downstairs
And pray he'd returned, but no one was there.
Oh, how I'd cry, a child all alone
Waiting for him to come home.
We learn so much in our education- the 3 R's, history, science, and of course the musical endeavors, but when we experience the loss of a loved one we're puzzled over how to process this pain. So, we cry like a child all alone, waiting for our loved ones to come home.
My father's chair sat in an empty room
My father's chair, covered with sheets of gloom
My father's chair through all the years
And all the tears I cried in vain
No one was there in my father's chair.
Sometimes at night, I sit all alone
Drifting asleep in a chair of my own
When sweet sleepy eyes peer down from the hall
Frightened by dreams they cannot recall
I hold them close, calming their fears
One path leads to almost certain death while the other path leads to healing and forgiveness.
My father's chair sits in a loving room
My father's chair, no matter what I do
My father's chair, through all the years
And all the tears I need not fear
Love's always there in my father's chair.
Sometimes at night, I dream of a throne
Of my loving God, calling me home
And as I appear, He rises and smiles
And reaches with love to welcome His child
Never to cry, never to fear
In His arms, safe and secure.
My Father's chair sits in a royal room
My Father's chair holds glory beyond the tomb
My Father's chair, my God is there
And I am His eternal heir
Someday I'll share my Father's chair.
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