​Death, Eternity & Writing Stories, by pastor esther

Today, someone many would refer to as a “spiritual giant” (rightly so), went home to Jesus. According to Wikipedia, Timothy James Keller (September 23, 1950 – May 19, 2023) was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian apologist. He was so much more. He authored many books and publications. His wisdom and continuously relevant insights will be sorely missed wherever people seek to learn about loving God and others. 

I think about Keller’s family taking time to grieve and thousands who mourn him. Yet we envision a heavenly homecoming celebration taking place too. His powerful and poignant final words have made the rounds on social media. Reading those caused me to reflect upon death, eternity and storylines…

Just because you write the end to one story, doesn’t mean you don’t get to start another. Although, it’s often best to pause a bit… no need to jump ahead of the introduction to your next story. 

That’s really a majority of life’s journey isn’t it? Stories written. It could be as visceral as the death of a loved one. Yet it could be the ending of a relationship, job, career, home or family situation. Death, literal or figurative, is the loss we grieve in life as we go on living. Because on a soul-deep level, we are made to desire life… life everlasting. 

And in the adventure of following Jesus, we do so with spiritual intentionality. Yes, we are made for life. And in Christ, we are offered it in eternity, which starts… now. 

“Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.’”(John 6:68-69 NLT)

5/19/23 
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