Christ is our prize

Got news today that a guy I ministered alongside in Mexico, a fellow Latino-lover, was taken off of life support after trying to end his life.

His death hit me hard this morning, as he wasn't the type of person I would have "pegged" to try and die. He loved the Lord and he loved people. He cared for others and it showed. I'm thankful to him that on that trip, when I was harassed by an airline employee, he was the one to stand up to him and tell him to knock it off.Oh, so sad to see the life of one who loved Christ ended in such a way.

However, it's because Christ loved him and he loved Jesus too that I know I will see him again in heaven. What a sadness - this suffering on earth - and what rejoicing awaits us in heaven, when we come face-to-face with our Savior. How I long for heaven - but may my lifesong be, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Just like this song by David Crowder Band, we must remember that the Lord is our prize - a deep, intimate, loving relationship with the King of the universe is what we should strive for - not growing weary of this world he has placed us in, but always striving forward for the prize of knowing and loving God.

"He is jealous for me,
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves." - David Crowder Band