Life and death and Life

What does it mean to live? In this past year many questioned whether they were really living, whether it was worth it. In the church, where we know and can find true Life - in Christ - we had to struggle with how to retain life in the midst of what seemed like death. When people cannot sing together, when we cannot see one another, when we often cannot even be outside, then a cold, dark inside feels like death. 

So we struggled and we have seen life where we didn’t expect it. We are thankful for the way that Jesus Christ has arisen - out of the grave - in the lives and hearts of the members in Maastricht. Our Bible studies have blossomed and included more people than ever. Members have taken the opportunity to contact each other in other ways, knowing that meeting together was not possible. And when we could finally meet together mid-April, we thrilled at the time, spending Sunday mornings together well past the midday hour. 

In addition we have seen new life growing. Our weekly study with G has been an amazing journey. She grew up in a culturally Christian home, but never made any kind of choice for Jesus as Lord. It was her Iranian friend who awakened her to the death she was walking in. They were both baptized and G looked for a family, finding us in Maastricht. Now each week we spend time together getting to know Jesus. Shirley and Scott are thrilled to see her grow in faith. 

Sometimes death gives opportunities. Scott began reading the Bible years ago with R. This turned into a relationship where Scott cares for R, even now as R has gone to a nursing home to wait out his days on earth. R. Has asked Scott to be the one to celebrate R’s life when he passes. IN the meantime, Scott has gotten to know R’s family and M’s family. M is his girlfriend who has also asked Scott to care for her end of life. So, in looking to what death brings, Scott has made new relationships and been given opportunities to speak of real life. 

That is what it is really about - real life. We spend time in the Bible each week with members - encouraging faith and growth - and with seekers, people who don’t yet know Jesus. We spend time mentoring members once a month to develop leaders. We allow God to use us in any way to reach young people, including helping with a new initiative for international youth. The last gathering of the CIA (Christians in Action) had more than 60 young people (12-17 year-olds) from all over Europe. In June, the group from the Netherlands is organizing the evening. 

We are thankful that our plans for summer Bible camp weeks are able to go forward. The group of Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) is shaping up to be one of the biggest groups we have had for a week of camp. Scott will also help lead the teens (12-14 year-olds) the week after. These are opportunities to train up new leaders as well as help young people to learn about new life in Jesus Christ. What a thrill it is to know that God gives real life. 

Which is why even death cannot overcome the love we have in Jesus Christ. This past month we said goodbye to one of our dear sisters in Christ in Eindhoven. Nita Blaakmeer touched many lives in many ways with the love that Christ brought into her life. We were blessed to be able to gather to celebrate her life and say goodbye - for now. 

Death is not the end. If we are willing to die in Christ, then death can only bring true life. That is the amazing truth and reality we have been working with these past months. That is the truth we will proclaim each week and in each month that God gives us to live with Him on this earth - wherever we are. 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Borrowed

The other day we were able to talk with our son, Stephan, and his wife, Natalie in Ohio. Technology is truly a wonderful thing. We were able to see each other and talk about their new life together. It seems just a few years ago that Stephan was a little boy climbing trees. Now he is a husband, starting a life together with his wife, planning their future together.

With children it is easier to see the truth that all we have is borrowed. Children are not ‘ours’ and that becomes clear when they leave home and start their own life. We never did own them; they were given into our care for a short time so that we could help them grow in their faith. They were given to us for a short time so that they could help us grow in our faith.

Everything we ‘have’ is actually on loan. It is not ours. We don’t ‘have’ anything. Our bodies do not belong to us. When the time comes, they will return to the earth from which they were formed. As Christians we should understand this completely. ‘This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through’. Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit; we are not our own, we were purchased with a price. Our possessions, wealth, houses, abilities – all are given to us by God for a time so that He can bless others through us. We are here so that righteousness is seen in the world, bringing glory to God (Titus 2:11-12).

So, what we have is not ‘wrong’ or ‘broken’ or anything else. If we have it, God can use it – if we allow Him to. Now, if I were renting this, I might run the risk of not valuing it properly. How carefully do we deal with a rental car, or the tools we rent from the hardware store? After all, they’re insured aren’t they? And I didn’t buy them. But I didn’t rent these things in my life. I didn’t pay anything. They have been given me to use – they are borrowed. It’s not ‘just’ a rental car – you know the owner. You are borrowing it and need to give it back. So I take care and cherish that which has been given me, knowing that it is given with a purpose.

Enjoy the moments you have with all that you have, no matter how much or little it is. God can do amazing things with what He has given us, much more than we can do with the same things.