When the roll is called up yonder.

Just this weekend a horrible vehicle accident took place in South Londonderry Township in Lebanon County.  Four bright young students had been traveling together early Sunday morning, lost control of their car and unfortunately hit an oncoming car.  All for of those precious lives had been extinguished in a twinkling of an eye.  This tragedy must have been deeply disconcerting for all those involved from the parents, to the siblings and friends, to the emergency responders (I know, I am a police chaplain) to be involved in.  I can only imagine the pain those parents must be feeling.  I too have had to bury my own mother this week and have spent many days in pain and anguish.  But I am sure it doesn’t compare to having to bury your young sons. 

 We can, however, take comfort in the fact that those young men will be standing in the presence of the Lord, if they were believers.  How glorious that must be to know there is something beautiful beyond this life.  My mother was a godly woman, a believer, and had spent much of her time rooted in the Bible after my father’s death in 2001.  The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.  What that means that the instant that we die, we will be present with God in heaven.  I know this is a painful thing to fathom, but for those young people and even my mother, we should glory in that fact and be somewhat comforted to know they are in a better place.

This is for any parents that may be reading, please teach your children about the Bible and what everlasting life is (John 3:16).  If you can get your kinds into a good church, I suggest doing that because being around Christians in corporate worship is very good for all those involved.  But if you can’t remember what Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst”.  It is our jobs as parents to make the knowledge of God available to all who will listen.  Because in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound – will you be ready to stand face to face with God?  I pray that you will and I will be praying for those four families and I hope you do too.