The Handoff

Two nights ago, at our Wednesday night Bible Study, we were having a discussion about whether or not we should pray for people after they die. I have my own thoughts and opinions on this, based on experience and my study of the Bible.  When I said that I saw no need to pray for someone after they died, a group member asked, "But don't we pray for them at their funerals." "No," I said, "We just commend their bodies and souls or spirits to God." Another group member said, "It's kind of like a handoff."

While we all laughed at that, it really got me to thinking. 

That's really what a funeral is for those of us who are believers. A funeral is a chance for us to "handoff" our loved one to God. It's a chance for us to say "goodbye" or "so long for now" or "see you later," or whatever your preference is.  But, more than anything, it's a time for us to "handoff" our parent, child, sibling, friend, etc. to God. And, as a believer, I know that I'm really just handing that person off to the One who created them in the first place; the One who has been waiting for their eventual return.

Last night, I lost a very close friend. She was one of the most amazing women I have every had the privilege of knowing. As I sat at her bedside after she had died, I realized that soon I would be handing her off to God. And, I knew that He would be right there waiting for her ... and I knew she had known that as she took her last breath.

Life is so short at times. We get hung up on such insignificant things. We hold on to past hurts that others have long let go of.  We spend our time on things that have no lasting value. We look to drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, pornography, and any other addiction to cover our hurts and pains. When, in reality, there is just one thing, or One, that can take away those hurts and pains — God.

Perhaps you have lost someone close to you — a friend, family member, or co-worker. Maybe you've been struggling because of the loss and you're feeling hurt, angry, or sad about it.

I hope as you read this that you'll take comfort in knowing that the one you mourn has been handed off to a mighty, loving, gracious God; a God who gave that first breath to your loved one and Who was with that same loved one when they drew their last breath.

Take comfort in knowing that the "handoff" is complete and now, your job, is to live every moment of every day with love and grace and the knowledge that someday, only God knows when, someone will hand you off to Him too.