Adventist Dad

Not long ago, my daughter found a little bird sitting on the patio of our home, stunned from its collision with the sliding glass door. She took the bird in, intent on nursing it back to flight, only to suffer a broken heart a few hours later as the bird breathed its last. A few years younger than Megan when the last pages of Where the Red Fern Grows put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Like father, like daughter.

Daily confronted with death in the news, even entertained by it on the screen, I become desensitized to it. When it becomes personal through the death of a friend, relative, neighbor, pet, or backyard bird it becomes a painful reminder that the world isn’t as God created it.

Death appears to arrive randomly and at inopportune times. Death has been called the great equalizer. Yet, its timing often seems unfair, its victims undeserving. It leaves me with unanswered questions: What happens to those whose circumstances render them unable to believe? Dare we hope for the stillborn child, the aging parent with Alzheimer’s, or the friend who loses the battle against mental illness? Is death the end for my pet dog and bird?

I don’t know how long Lazarus suffered before he died. I do know he died too soon. His friend Jesus was on His way to  visit when news came that Lazarus was ill. Days later, arriving at Lazarus’ home and  seeing the grave that had held him for four days, Jesus claimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” (John 11:25-26). This bold claim is a reassuring promise from the One who will end death and suffering and remake all things better than I can imagine them (Revelation 21:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, put their trust in Jesus and His words as He passed by the professional mourners gathered at their deceased brother’s tomb. There He provided a preview of the Resurrection Day when He will shout out the wake-up call for those who sleep, His chosen, and those who have chosen Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). In place of Lazarus’ name, fill-in the blank with your own, as Jesus commands, “__________ come out!” (John 11:43-44).

The signs of the times seem to say that day isn’t too far off. Still the night may last longer than I can stay “awake.” In either case, I plan to be there when the Wake-Up Call is made.