Short devotion: Enjoy Life - Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

            Yesterday, I participated in a wonderful funeral service. That may sound weird, but it turned out to be a joyous celebration of a life lived well. The person concerned was a very gentle, humble, and kind man, who touched the hearts and lives of practically everyone that he knew. His family shared some beautiful memories and there was a lot of laughter, mixed together with our tears. It was a blessing to be there and a cheerful event filled with faith, hope, and love.

            In the afternoon at the graveside, I improvised on some of the words from the Church of Scotland’s Book of Order. I told the mourners “We are not meant for the darkness of despair or death, but are created to enjoy God’s light and love.” It was a touching moment and I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. I think we all realized that the wages of sin may indeed bring about our deaths, but the everlasting life which Christ has won for each one of us, is the greatest gift we shall ever know.

            From time to time, we all contemplate our mortality and the impact that death makes in our lives. However, the beautiful gift of faith grants us an assurance that death is not the end; it’s just the inevitable transition to a new and eternal beginning. We may lose loved ones to death and feel an emptiness in our lives, but Christ promises us that we can be with Him and all our loved ones in God’s Kingdom through the faith that we embrace and share.

Questions for personal reflection

How has death affected my life? How can Christ’s love restore my faith and hope?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You experienced dying and conquered death so that we may be given the opportunity of everlasting life. Help us to live our lives in that hope, so that we may enjoy the light and love of God, both in this life and the one that is yet to come. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Planet Maker.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Maker.

Daily devotion: Laugh Often - Ecclesiastes 2:2

Ecclesiastes 2:2           “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”

            I like to laugh. A funny joke, amusing story, or some old-fashioned silent slapstick movie usually have me creasing with laughter. I also love being in the company of family and friends, when we share funny stories, do daft things, and tell corny jokes. Even during some intense and awful moments in my life, laughter helped to heal my pain. The Bible tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22); I can think of no better way to create a cheerful heart than what is produced by laughing.

            Sometimes, when I read the Book of Ecclesiastes, I get the feeling that the writer missed out on life by not being able to loosen up, lighten his spirit, and laugh at himself. He comes across as serious and somber as Hamlet or Macbeth in a Shakespearean play. I wish that he had learned the secret of happiness – to be content with what he had and to enjoy the life God had given him. Perhaps if he had, then Ecclesiastes might have been a brighter book instead of being a torturous tome at times.

            As we embrace a New Year, perhaps we should seek to follow a new mantra:

Live well, Love truly, and Laugh often. J

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to laugh at ourselves frequently, so that we can truly learn to love life. Allow us to enjoy the company of others – our families, our friends, and our church folks. May we show our faith in You by sharing joy and laughter each day. In Your Holy Name, we laugh and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to respond to this message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s cartoons. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Wise Men.