I can only imagine...

I remember sitting in the hospital room, MercyMe was playing in the back round, and the 3 of us were entertaining ourselves with the iPad.
Then I looked up and realized the time was near. So, with my brother on one side and I on the other, we watched as God ended my dad's battle with cancer forever.
And as he exited the world in which we live, the song "I can only imagine" came on. Dad's favorite song.
I sat there, wondering, what was dad doing right now? Was he dancing for joy? Or was he still in the presence of Christ, amazed at his glory? Was he standing, or had his knees gone weak at the sight of eternity?

I could only imagine.

He may have taken his last breath on this earth, but he took his first breath into eternity. Though eternity is at hand and our soul never dies, I can only imagine how amazing it must be to see it, rather than just believe it.

And then I realized what I had seen; the gospel.
We often think that we see the gospel only when someone comes to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. But, you see the gospel completed in a believer who fought the good fight, who ran the race with endurance and now stands in the victory of Christ. Had Christ not resurrected, neither would my dad. But he did. They both did.
Because of Christ, I have no fear in death, and I know my dad didn't have any fear in death either. We both have the promise of life.
Dad loved the gospel, it was his passion. He talked about it all the time and tried his best to live it out. And through his faithfulness, even to the point of death, he fulfilled God's purpose for him on earth and showed so many people how important the gospel of Christ is.
Because of this gospel, we have peace, knowing full well that dad was released from his earthly body and now resides with Christ.
Wow.
He resides with Christ.
No more sin, no more cancer, no more struggles...

To live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21)

In Christ, to die is gain.

Sometimes, when people die, others will say "may he rest in peace". That's a silly statement when I know he's at peace. I don't need to wish it upon him because I know it's true.
I can "rest in peace" because I don't doubt that I will see dad again, when my purpose is done. But, for now, I will try to live out my purpose, just like dad did. Glorifying God in everything I do.
Will I fail? Yes.
Did dad fail? Yes.

But then, there's the beauty of the gospel. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:1-4)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..." (Phil 1:27)

My dad didn't live a perfect life, but he left an amazing legacy. A legacy I hope to continue.

Signed,
gypsy girl