He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4, ESV).
Our Father in heaven will wipe our tears away. That is the perspective through which He works in our lives.
On the way home from pre-school, my four-year-old granddaughter promptly said in the car, “Today was the worst day of my life.” The reason – Ashley had pushed her in the snack line.
Her mother had a different perspective.
A son told his father that he didn’t make a basketball team for which he had been practicing a year to join. His comment, “My life will never be the same.”
His father had a different perspective.
As grandparents, as fathers and mothers, and even as friends of those experiencing disappointment, we comfort by pointing to a different perspective. As grandparents, parents, and friends – we often have been through similar difficulties and know that “this moment” doesn’t need to define us – rather it can motivate us to greater achievement.
Our experiences give us this perspective.
But, what about death or terminal illness?
We need our Heavenly Father’s perspective. We don’t have answers to eternal questions beyond the perspective of our experiences.
God does, and He inspired a book with almost 1,200 chapters giving us perspective.
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
As sons and daughters (without needed experience for perspective) should trust fathers and mothers, we must trust God.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Our Father, who created the universe, holds all creation together, and sent His Son to die for our sins, has the perspective from which we find hope.
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:24-25).
The perspective for the hope needed in death can only come by experiencing His presence, then finding a peace that surpasses understanding. Remember – experience gives perspective and while it isn’t possible to experience the eternity of ultimate answers now, we can dwell in His presence to have peace.
Recently, I’ve been listening to a song by Evan Craft, Redimi2, and Danny Gokey. The title “Be Alright” has helped me regain the perspective of hope that only comes from my heavenly Father.