I read a quote in "holding onto hope" that says, "Hope is
symbolized in Christian iconography by an anchor. And what does an anchor do?
It keeps the ship on course when the winds and waves rage against it. But the
anchor of hope is sunk in heaven, not on earth."
Gregory Floyd-A grief unveiled
This is an affirmation of sorts for me. I am reminded about a verse that
someone emailed me or put in a card after Liam died. "For I know the plans
I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, but
plans to give you hope and future."
It's a verse I know all to well and have clung to many times in my life.
However, at a time when I am confused, frustrated, and even angry at
God, this verse just doesn't sit well with me.
I think to myself, "Liam never had hope of a future. He never had
the opportunity to live out those plans that God had for him. Does that mean
God never had plans for Liam? Liam never had a future on this earth, he never
had a chance. I really struggle with that, especially knowing God's promises
are true, and that his word will never return void. So I asked my high school youth
pastor about it.
He brought up a very good point and shed some light onto this verse for
me. This verse isn't specifically talking about life on earth. It's referring
to heaven. The hope and a future God is talking about is eternal life. In that
sense Liam does have hope and a future, he is living that out right now with
the father in heaven.
It's easy for me (and for a lot of people) to only see the here and now
and be fixated on this earthly life. Sometimes it's hard for me to see what
eternity looks like with Liam when I am so sad and disheartened about him not
sharing this lifetime with me. I could only see that verse for what I thought
it had to say about living here on earth, not in heaven.
It makes me realize that so much of my vision, thoughts, and attention
are truly on the here and now. But God wants us to be fixated on heaven and
eternity. He has put eternity in the hearts of men. We are never fully
satisfied here because we are not at home here. This is but a brief moment in
the grand scheme of things. My hope isn't just in having another baby (a living
baby) and having that dream fulfilled in my life. It's not just about having a
family, my hope is about heaven, the long term.
My focus should be on advancing the kingdom of God. Should be in wanting
a deeper relationship with God and not just because I want the blessings that
God has for me on this earth, but because of what is to come. I need to expand
my view and see the big picture, look beyond a few years down the road and see
eternity in everything I do. In the people I meet. See eternity in Liam.
I will always grieve a life never lived on this earth, but I can
celebrate a life that will be spent together for longer than this one.
I need to place my anchor in heaven and not on things of this world.
there is where my heart and life are!
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