https://www.odbm.org/en-GB/devotional/devotional-category/hope-in-loss?ts=1793750400000
Ephesians 1:3-12: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
While out walking the family dog, my nephew Andy was hit by a car. Someone saw the accident and stopped to give him CPR and call for an ambulance. A ventilator kept him alive for a week. Miraculously, he was weaned off the sedation medicines and ventilator the day after Christmas and told his wife, parents, brother and five children, “I love you.” Emotions and hope soared! But the very next day, he died. All of his children, ages fifteen to twenty-one, spoke through their tears at his God-honouring memorial service. Daughter Julia read a quote that made those in attendance think:“It’s not about how much we lost. It’s about how much we have left.” (Anne Cetas, Our Daily Bread, 4th November 2026)
There is medical phenomenon called “terminal lucidity” or “the surge” or “pre-mortem clarity”, where terminally-ill patients suddenly appear good and well but pass on soon after. It can last a few hours or a few days but they eventually pass as their organs are usually already failing inside them. This sudden apparent recovery although shortlived is very good as it gives such patients the opportunity to say proper goodbyes to their loved ones. For those who had loved ones who passed at the hospital bed in induced coma and intubated, contact is usually lost during those 5-7 days before death. The exact cause for this phenomenon remains a medical mystery but medical experts theorise that the body could somehow muster massive amounts of neurotransmitters like depomines for a short while and awaken the patient.
When someone passes, he or she is lost forever from this world of living, until Christ returns for believers. We look forward to the day we will be reunited in the new heaven and new earth at the end of age. But it’s really not “what we lost but how much we have left” that matters. As we know, funerals are for the living since the dead has departed. Our legacy is what our children, spouse, relatives, friends and colleagues will remember us. Life goes on and we will be forgotten, often quickly – sad but true. Yet when anyone thinks of us after we have passes on, it is who we were to them that they will remember.
Will we be remembered as someone who lived for Christ or for our own selves exclusively? Did we extend a helping hand when someone needed help? You need the money badly now, just take it first – repayment will sort itself out eventually. Were we kind or mean? Or were we always difficult and troublesome? Not so much whether we read the Bible and prayed every day but who were we to others and how we treated others? Not so much whether we go to church every Sunday but do our actions reflect Christ? Have a good day ahead, everyone! May the LORD our God and Father grant us His grace, and wisdom and discernment to deal with issues at work and in life today!
