The Lord Gives and He takes away. May the Name of the Lord be Praised.

This weekend has been excruciatingly painful and joyful. On Thursday night a youth pastor at Crossroads Bible Church died in a house fire along with his six month old son Dylan. I have never met Derek, and if I have I am sure that I would remember him. I do however; have many friends that knew him and their lives were heavily impacted by this man of God.

My heart mourns as if I did know him though. And even though I didn't know him personally and I have never talked to him, his life will have a lasting impact on me.

It has been one of the most amazing weekends. On Friday I worshiped with lots of people from Crossroads down at BSHOP and it was amazing! There aren't words to to describe it. And, the Gathering Grand Rapids last night was amazing. Then this morning I went to Crossroads and it was the most amazing service I have ever been apart of. Today my heart mourns for the lives that were lost, but I rejoice, because I know Derek longed to be with Jesus. I can imagine his first Sunday in heaven was amazing! I get chills!

Hearing Rod Vansolkema talk about him this morning and hearing others talk about him, it sounds like he went and pressed on in life. He pressed on towards the goal. He had this eternal perspective and ran a hard, beautiful race.

That brings me to something else on my heart. I long to live my life purely for Christ and Him alone. I long to go after Jesus with every I've got. No matter what. I long to have an eternal perspective. So often I get hooked on the these stupid worldly matters that are only making my race slower. It's like this "thing" is not worth complaining about. This person is not worth fighting with because we only have so long. In a minute we will be home with Christ and I don't know about all of you, but I want to hear Jesus say "well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home."

This is not my home. I do not belong to this world. I belong to Jesus. Nothing else in life brings as much joy, satisfaction, and love. And nothing ever ever ever will.

I want to live my life in such a way that exemplifies Christ.

This changes everything.

How I use my time. How I worship. How I pray. How I love. How I live. What I say. Who I hang out with even.

So today my heart is heavy, but I rejoice in the Hope of the World. In Jesus. This whole situation makes me even more excited to be with Jesus. My heart groans for His return.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."