Eulogy
Just suppose.
The other day a young man died in a car wreck as he left church. He hadn’t expected to meet the Father that day, but he lived every day as though he might. Mark served in his local church. Returned the tithe of all he made. He even volunteered at the soup kitchen and supported a child in China. You could definitely say this man was a model Christian.
His death was so unexpected, but the mourners had no idea the joy he was experiencing that very moment! Passing through the gates of pearl, Mark erupted in jubilant praise, taken by the full spectrum of God’s presence. He’d never felt God like this before! Christ walked up to him, smiling, and asked Mark if he’d like to go for a walk.
Oh the beauty! The colors, the smells … all of Mark’s senses were piqued with the splendor of Heaven. Nothing on Earth could compare. As they meandered down a winding sidewalk through a quiet neighborhood, Mark told Jesus that Heaven was more than he ever expected it to be.
What a lovely cottage.
Passing by a particular house, Mark stopped and took notice. He praised the detail, the construction, the style, even the yard decorations. It was the most beautiful home he’d ever seen! “Like it?
” questioned the Lord.
“Like it?!
Mark exclaimed. “I love it! It’s perfect!
”
“Good,
” Jesus replied, “Because it’s yours.
”
Mark was ecstatic! To think, this was his house for the rest of eternity! Wow! He rushed inside, flinging open the door (which quietly came to rest against the stopper), and he gasped at the wonders to behold. There were artifacts in his new home for which there are no words. And the most amazing array of flowers lived on the left wall in the foyer. He was utterly speechless. Christ strolled in behind him, and told Mark to enjoy himself. Then He disappeared.
Back at the wreck.
The driver of the other car also died, before the ambulance driver even made it to the hospital. Her name was Latoya. Latoya was also a model Christian, singing in the choir on Sundays, and teaching in children’s church. She was always giving her time to help others. Her life echoed the heart of the Father: “Souls.
” She served people with as much vigor and passion as any person could.
Her entrance into Heaven was glorious. She sang with the angels in chorus, “How great Thou art.
” Her eyes tightly shut, tears gushing down her face as she sang, she didn’t noticed Jesus walk up. And He didn’t want to disturb her; He was enjoying her singing too much! She finally did notice her audience, and was startled at His beauty.
“Lord!
” she exclaimed, “You’re more beautiful that I ever imagined!
”
Jesus smiled, and said, “You’re as beautiful as the day I made you. Would you care to go for a walk?
”
“Of course! Anything to be with You.
”
An afternoon stroll.
Arm-in-arm with the Lord, Latoya had never felt more at peace. The beauty around her was awesome, but it was the presence of Jesus she treasured most. A Mockingbird flying above sang a tune as they walked. Toya had always dremt of what she’d ask God when she got to meet Him, but in this moment all those questions faded into the distance. All she wanted to do was look at Him.
Jesus stopped in front of a particular house, and Latoya gasped, bringing her hand in front of her mouth.
“Latoya,
” Jesus said to her, looking into her eyes, “This is your home.
”
“It’s beautiful!
” she cried. “It’s more beautiful than any house I’ve ever seen!
”
They walked toward the house together, still arm-in-arm, through the wrought iron gateway entwined with yellow and white Honey Suckle in full bloom, past the front courtyard where the smells of Lavender and Sage and Rosemary filled the air, and through an arched doorway that looked like it could have been taken from a fairy tale. Inside, Latoya began to cry, awe-struck by how wonderful her new house was.
A far-fetched reaction.
Mark was making himself well at-home. He walked upstairs to admire the view from the dormer windows which faced the street, and he opened them to let the cool breeze blow in. And that’s when he noticed “her.” Watching Latoya walk into her new home directly across the street from his, Mark said to himself, “Uh oh. They are moving in. *sigh* There goes the neighborhood. And to think, this was the perfect house. I guess I need to ask Jesus if I can move.
”
Do you think this is going to happen in Heaven? Will there be racism there? It’s absurd! It’s laughable. No one would imagine such a ridiculous scenario would actually happen. But what about here? Why is it okay here, but not there? This is a Double Standard, applying one set of morals or values to one group, and a completely different set of morals or values to another group. It’s also known as hypocrisy.
We have to quit fooling ourselves into believing it’s justifiable or acceptable or even right to dislike an entire group of people based solely on complexion. We have to end the hatred, because it’s only skin-deep. And you know what? God made our skin all the colors of the rainbow on purpose. Because He likes it that way.
~Jonathan
Burn this feed.
