Reflections on a Life Cut Short

Today I learned that a co-worker's wife lost her baby. This news is always sad, but I find myself sympathizing with them more than I often do. The past few weeks Emma has been growing stronger and stronger, kicking more and more. The realization that God has formed a new life within Karen is washing over me daily. As I place myself in this co-workers shoes, I am drawn to tears at the loss he and his family must be experiencing. Life is indeed a frail and temporary gift from God.

Jonathan Edwards offers some vivid insight on this issue. He writes, "The world tries to prove that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world, but to no avail. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means by which people suddenly go out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are countless places in this covering that are so weak that the covering will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The arrows of death fly unseen at midday; the sharpest sight cannot discern them" ("Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God").

Life is a trust. It is an opportunity to recognize our Creator and Redeemer and live lives for Him and His purposes. He has granted us a few years in which to live for His glory and to declare His glory to everyone we know.

Father, grant Your peace and comfort for this grieving family. May they place the faith and hope in You and Your goodness in the midst of their pain. Help us to recognize that we constantly walk "on the brink of eternity." Help us to see that life is a gracious gift and not an entitlement we receive by virtue of some inherent good in us. May we be good stewards of these few days together. May we never throw a day away as though we will have a million more. May we urgently share the good news of the Gospel of Your grace in light of the bad news of ours/others sinfulness and condemnation apart from that grace. May we fear and honor You and be found in Christ when he comes or You call us home.

Grace and Peace,

J