A Very Sad Day

A very sad thing happened within our church yesterday. Craig Lawless, our church administrator and the minister who has really been leading us and holding us together since we lost our pastor two years ago, died of a heart attack. He was 48 years old and leaves his wife, Lisa, and sons Chris and Mike, Chris's wife, Erica and their baby, Hannah.
Everyone is in shock. He was fine Sunday night at the Thanksgiving meal and he and Lisa gave a special testimony. He was fine at staff meeting Monday morning. And by 1:00 pm he was with the Lord.
Life is so fleeting, such a vapor. I've been thinking about this because everyone I talk to has questions. Why Craig? He was such a godly man, such a sweet husband and daddy, so essential to our church. Why now? He was so young. Why did God do this? Some have expressed anger at God. Those are always the questions and the anger is typical for us as well.
But here's the thing. Death is the result of sin in the world -- this is the curse. When sin entered the world, so did death. We forget this as we live our merry, superficial lives focused on worldly things and worldly endeavors. We know there is sin. We experience some of its results when we face problems, have relationship issues, or deal with other difficult circumstances. But we can't really understand the depth and pain of the Curse until death itself hits home. Right now those who loved Craig the most are experiencing the curse and it is unbearable, unspeakable.
That is the simple, harsh truth.
But here is the wonderful truth.
There is hope. Just as God judged the world because of sin, He also justified those who believe through Jesus Christ His Son. We have been redeemed from the curse. Craig is not dead. He lives with His Savior. Lisa, Mike, Chris, Erica, and Hannah will not grieve as those who are without hope because they have a Comforter who knows their every thought and loves them as no other. They will not grieve as if this is the end because they will one day and for all eternity celebrate around the throne with their husband, daddy and granddaddy. The day will come when they along with all who believe will be glorified, out of this nasty mess of earth, forever and ever.

But here is the reality of living in the middle of the curse even with the Hope of glory -- they do grieve because they don't want to live without Craig. They don't think they can live without Craig. I don't blame them. Their hearts are broken and their future seems dim. They, and we, don't understand. But we trust our God because He is sovereign and He is good, and He is full of lovingkindness.
Please pray for this devastated family and for our church as well.
Even so Lord Jesus quickly come. We long to be saved finally and forever from the curse.