Yesterday, I was scheduled to address the youth group of GCI- Manila called OMFJ (One More For Jesus!). I was at the office with Jocer (who came from school to accompany me to the church hall because I needed directions coming from QC.)
His Tita died the other day after 3 years of struggle with cancer. My plan was to address the youth group and then proceed to Sanctuarium where his Tita lies at state.
That was the plan.
Throughout the afternoon though, Jocer would update me on the schedule at Sanctuarium and he was told that there will be a service for his Tita at 8pm. That meant he would not be able to come with me to OMFJ. I had him start a sketch for me but somehow, God had other plans for my schedule.
“Punta tayo sa Tita ko?” – Jocer asked as we were pulling out of the church’s parking lot. “Sure I said.. we can go there first” and I was thinking I can just drop him off and head to Manila by myself.
We entered the elaborate building of the Sanctuarium. It was beautiful inside. I thought it was well-thought out. We entered the small chapel and it was already filled with relatives, friends and nurses from a certain hospital where his Tita used to be connected. He introduced me to his relatives and as I sat down – Jocer engaged himself in a small conversation with one of the relatives.
I sensed that they were talking about me so I turned toward their direction and just asked what was going on.
“The pastor who was supposed to conduct the service could not come, and since you are a pastor, would you be willing to conduct the service tonight at 8pm?”
I had to smile inside. I sensed right away that God led me to this place – just for this family. Before we left the office, I got the multimedia projector and Jocer asked me why I was bringing it – there was no need for it since Manila has one. I answered something about – I am the keeper of this projector, or something to that effect.
Now when I was asked to give the message on the funeral service, I could not help but be amazed at God’s perfect interruptions. Jocer could lead in the singing, his brother and other cousins who were also musically inclined where there, I was there with the laptop and multimedia projector. Everything was naturally set for us.
It was a wonderful convergence.
We went outside and I started working on the materials while Jocer and another brother, Paul worked on the powerpoint. We called up the OMFJ in Manila and told them that I would like to prioritize this at this time. They were wonderful about it. They came to the wake instead and showed support to one of their brothers.
I gave a message on Psalm 116: 14 – Precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of His saints….
The service started and Jocer led the singing. The only child of the deceased gave a snippet of the life of her mom. Then I gave the Word. A small video highlighting the last few years of her life was shown by Paul. Then we ended with two more worship songs.
Later on I got to talk with the OMFJ at the lobby. I am looking forward to sharing my life with them on wednesday next week. I jokingly told them that I prepared 4 hours of sermon and 3 hours of Q&A.
I stayed a little longer and chatted with his uncle who is also a pastor in Cavite. What a wonderful man. We talked about his studies at ATS and ministry life. Then at 11PM – I said my goodbye and headed home.
I mulled over some more about Psalm 116:14 – The Lord said “it is precious.”
While we may be shedding tears or wrapped in grief, the Lord while grieving with us, can also see how precious it is for Him when we die to be with Him.
It does not matter the circumstance of a saint’s death (Jocer’s Tita loved Don Moen songs and the testimony given by her daughter about her mom’s unwavering faith in the Lord was a wonderful display of the life of Jesus lived out on her life.)
It doesn’t matter whether the saint who had passed was rich or not, educated or not, had strong influence or not. All of these things do not matter.
It does not matter whether the person was surrounded by loved ones or the person died alone. It does not matter whether it was a peaceful one or otherwise, the Lord says it is precious in His sight.
It must truly be a precious sight! A child of God being ushered into His presence at the moment of death.
Someone wrote an encouraging note to someone whose husband passed away last year and the note read “NOW HE KNOWS, AS HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN..”
When we meet our Creator, WE WILL FINALLY KNOW, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOVED AND KNOWN….
Thanks for writing, I very much liked
Many thanks!
Thanks for writing, I very much liked your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you evidently have natural ability for blogging!