Obedience when it’s difficult

I want to share some words from a dear friend who lost her husband several months ago. I’m going to change the names to give her complete privacy —  but you’ve got to hear what God has done in her life. 

As a believer, we know the day wasn’t tragic for the husband, because he was immediately in the presence of Jesus. But for those family members and friends left behind it is a very difficult time to navigate.

From my friend, “Just had to share this … Yesterday, I found out that a longtime friend, and a nursery worker when my kids were babies at church, was in ICU. She was about to go to Hospice to die.  She was in the same hospital where my husband passed away. I kept telling myself ‘You are not ready to go into that hospital and face those memories.’ 

But, everyone else from the office had things going on that could not be helped and they wanted someone from our staff to go up there. I kept arguing with God ‘No please don't ask me to do that.’ Then I thought, ‘What would my late husband want me to do?’ We both loved her so much. He would definitely want me to go. He was always intentional no matter what. So I put my "big girl underwear" on and I went up there … walking through the same building where my husband passed.  

God truly gave me peace and strength. I had such a great visit with our friend and her grown children. She hugged me and kissed me on the cheek and said ‘I am going to take care of your husband until you get there." 

I said through my tears "Please tell him how much I love and miss him." It was a sweet goodbye and God knew I needed it. That's the first time I've sent someone a message on the other side to Heaven. God has truly given me everything I've needed on this journey.  He is so good.

Epilogue: The elderly lady never made it to Hospice. She went to see Jesus face to face just hours after this conversation.

Has God ever asked you to do something difficult? It’s an interesting proposition when you argue with in your spirit “with” God. I know the Bible has accounts of Adam and Eve speaking in person with God. We have a record of Moses speaking with God. We have several accounts of people arguing with God. 

But these days, it’s the Holy Spirit, or Comforter as Jesus called him. He lives inside a believer and we often argue with God the Holy Spirit that way. 

Sometimes we are asked to write a note and ask for someone’s forgiveness. Whew. That’s a difficult task. Sometimes we are prompted to have a difficult conversation in person with someone to ask if they are prepared to meet God face to face. That’s not easy either.

When I think back to the New Testament and the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, He knew exactly what was getting ready to happen. He knew it would be painful and heart breaking for His mother, friends and followers. 

But He, as God, had the advantage over us. He could look into the future and see the joy, healing and salvation His resurrection would bring to hearts … then and now … more than 2000 years later.

He even asked His Heavenly Father (God the Father) if going to the cross was something He really had to do? Jesus knew the answer to that question in advance, too. Yes. The cross was the only means for a “perfect, sinless” sacrifice that would take the place of every sinner who ever lived or would live.

That’s a much bigger job than we’ve ever been asked to do. So when I think my life is difficult, dangerous (read some missionary biographies) or just not any fun … Get over it! God’s got a plan and He needs for us to be obedient. He wants to use us (doesn’t have to —  but He wants to include us.) 

If my friend in the story above had refused to visit the hospital on that day, it would have been forever too late. And look at the blessing she would have missed. The elderly lady was coherent and caring for others in her last few hours on this earth.

When I heard that the elderly lady had passed away, my first thought was, “She’s delivering the message.” 

So do you have a message to deliver today? Maybe it’s not an earth-shattering message, or maybe it’s not a message for Heaven. Maybe it’s a word of encouragement to someone hurting. Maybe it’s someone who feels worthless and they need to hear there is a God who delights in them and wants to have a relationship with them.

“I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. Thank you for reading this column. I hope you receive a blessing and will pray for the two families in the true story who have experienced loss. Visit truelife.org if you think God can’t possibly hear your prayers for someone else. He’s delighted in you, loves you and wants to give you eternal life in Heaven.