A Journey of Healing, and a Supernatural Seating Arrangement in the Skies ✈️🩷
Me and my sweet mom Freeda Bowers
My recent visit to my mother’s grave with my brother and father was a poignant reminder of the love and legacy she left behind. My mother, Freeda Bowers has been gone from this life about 18 months. I am often reminded of her sweet southern ways, her devoted love for home and family, her infectious smile, and her sincere passion for ministry and her relationship with Christ.
I almost hesitated to share this personal moment, but it felt important to share life as it is, because of my hope in Christ.
Visiting a loved one’s grave often stirs deep emotions, a blend of mourning and gratitude. This experience led me to reflect on the unique comfort and hope in Christianity concerning life and death. Because of sin, death entered into the world yet, through Christ we live in the promise of resurrection and the life to come.
In the Gospels we learn of Jesus comforting a grieving family and visiting the grave of Lazarus (before raising him from the dead) and Jesus’ own empty grave are not just markers of death, but through faith, reminders of the future to come, and God’s promises.
Victor, mom, dad, me, and Kenneth, celebrating Thanksgiving in New York a few years ago
In times of grief, Christians find profound comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Bible assures us that death is not the end, but a transition into God’s eternal embrace. Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus, demonstrating His deep compassion for our sorrow. In John 14:1-3, He encourages us not to be troubled, for He prepares a place for us in His Father’s house. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, brings solace and peace amidst pain, reminding us that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in the presence of God’s love.
The hope of resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian faith, providing a compelling response to the existential challenge posed by death. For many, the loss of a family member can evoke profound despair. However, the Christian belief in resurrection offers a transformative perspective that asserts death is not the final chapter.
At the heart of this belief is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a historical event that validates the promise of eternal life. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Paul states, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruitsof those who have fallen asleep.” This passage not only affirms Christ’s victory over death but also assures believers of their eventual resurrection.
Critics may argue that resurrection is merely a comforting myth, yet the consistency of this message throughout scripture and the early Church’s willingness to face persecution for their beliefs lend it credibility. Furthermore, the resurrection narrative challenges the notion of nihilism, providing a meaningful answer to the problem of suffering and loss.
In a world often marked by despair and uncertainty, the Christian hope of resurrection offers not only solace but also a robust framework for understanding death. This belief encourages Christians to celebrate the lives of their loved ones while eagerly anticipating a future reunion, grounded in the assurance of God’s promises.
The question of whether one has the hope of resurrection is pivotal in the Christian faith. To possess this hope, individuals must first acknowledge their need for salvation and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. John 3:16 articulates this beautifully: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The assurance of salvation, from a Christian perspective, is rooted in God’s sovereign grace and the promises found in Scripture. Believers are assured of their eternal life not through their own works but through faith in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort.
Furthermore, the hope of resurrection is intimately tied to the second coming of Christ. As 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 assures us, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ will rise first.” This promise reaffirms that all believers, living and deceased, will be resurrected and united with Christ in glory. Thus, the assurance of salvation and the hope of resurrection provide profound comfort and encourage believers to live in joyful anticipation of Christ’s return, knowing that they will be gathered with all of God’s people in eternal fellowship. Do you have that hope? If not, say this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I come to You with a humble heart, recognizing my need for Your grace and forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, who died for my sins, rose again to conquer death, and offers me the gift of eternal life. I confess my sins and ask for Your mercy.
Please cleanse me and make me new. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, trusting in His promise of resurrection and the hope that I will be raised with Him one day. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me in Your ways. Thank You for the gift of salvation, the assurance of resurrection, and the hope of eternal life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let me know if you need a Bible or how we can pray for you in your journey with Christ.
Divine Appointment Seating Arrangement
As I write this, I’m on a Southwest flight from Orlando to Nashville to speak and sing at the National Women in Apologetics conference. As custom with Southwest Airlines, there is no assigned seating, and I ended up in a middle seat. Over the snack choices, I started chatting with a lovely woman on the window side. Amid discussing the pretzel twists, she broke down in tears and shared that she was heading back to Nashville (she was away with some girlfriends) after her husband had passed away unexpectedly just the day before. Understandably, she’s in shock and sadness. I listened and we prayed together, and despite her heartbreak, she said, “I know I will see him again. He is in heaven with God”. Why? Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christy said to me after prayer, “It’s almost supernatural that out of 150 seats on this plane, you sat next to me. My life has been completely upended but God put a person of faith beside me who would listen tenderly and pray with me. I know that God will work this out in His time.”
Praying with my Southwest seatmate after she shared the news of the sudden passing of her husband yesterday. (Photo shared with her permission). Please pray for Christy from Nashville
Life is uncertain, and we never know when our time will come. James 4:14 reminds us, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Yet, in this uncertainty, we hold onto hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 assures us, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
The verse from Keith and Kristyn Getty’s song “In Christ Alone” encapsulates everything that is true and good about the resurrection and the life to come: “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.” This powerful affirmation reassures us that, because He lives, we too shall live, standing firm in faith and ready to share His love and hope with others.
To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. And our faith in the resurrection gives us comfort and strength, knowing that death is not the end, but a gateway to eternal life with Christ. Let this hope guide and uplift you.
Don’t delay, make things right with God today. I look forward to one day seeing you in heaven and introducing you to my precious Mother where we will be forever with the Lord. Oh what a savior!
How do you mark the spiritual landmarks in your own life? Have you experienced moments where God’s faithfulness felt undeniably present? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories—please share in the comments below!
