"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, "You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later." John 13:35, 36 NLT
The triathlon community of Oklahoma City is mourning the loss of Robert Andres Griffioen this week after he went for a run Sunday evening while visiting his in-laws in Moore, Oklahoma, and was struck by a pickup and killed. The 29-year-old runner left behind his wife, Stephanie, and five-year-old son Josiah. As tragic as this accident was though, there is solace for his family in knowing that Robert went to be with the Lord. In fact, his life reflected his faith so much that his wife Stephanie said that their son, "keeps telling people in this happy voice that his daddy died and is in heaven with Jesus."
And you know, no matter how well we care for our bodies, death will come to all of us-and sadly to some, it will come sooner than expected. But we can leave those left to mourn our loss with peace knowing that we are in heaven with Jesus by the way we live our lives. You see, the Bible tells us that our "love for one another will prove to the world that" we are followers of Jesus Christ. And for all those who exhibit this unconditional love, proving Jesus is their Lord and Savior, the promise that he gave the disciples is the same one they can claim... that they will "follow later."
I wonder, can you claim that promise today? Are you certain that if you died right now that you would be in heaven with Jesus? And have you made it so clear to others by the way you've lived that they would know too? If not, right now is the time to make a new commitment to following Jesus my friend. After all, your eternity depends on it.
Heavenly Father, thank you for these reminders that tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. I pray that you would be with the Griffioen family as they mourn the loss of a man they loved so dearly. And, Father, I pray that if there is anyone reading this that is unsure of whether they will join you in Heaven, that they will accept you as their Lord and Savior at this very moment. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Save a place for me - Matthew West
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