A Time of “Lasts”, A Time of “Forevers”

I had started to write this post before the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas played out before our eyes and grief took over our nation yet again. I still remember where I was standing when I heard the similar horrific news of the Sandy Hook and Columbine shootings. Moments like these elicit a true gut-wrenching – when your stomach feels as though a hand has harshly gripped it and twisted it into a distorted knot and your throat closes making it impossible to breathe. The violent death and injury of children creates an unrivaled feeling from the depths of our hearts with such a sensitivity about it that it must be handled with the utmost care. For this reason, I debated whether or not to post this topic but after further thought, prodding by the Lord, and some revisions, I decided it may be useful to souls who are experiencing this week in many different ways. This post may also serve as a good reminder of how precious the life is we have been given. I’ve tried to write it in a tender-hearted way, and I pray it is received with the love and gentleness intended with each word.   

There are many “firsts” in our lives. Our first steps as babies are followed by applause, our first homes are celebrated, and our first jobs are documented. So much excitement surrounds our “firsts”. There are also many “lasts” in our lives. This week and in the weeks to follow, many individuals are doing something for the last time. Some may be graduating seniors walking into their high school and sitting at that student desk for the last time. Some may be taking the stage for their last performance. Others may hear the click of their office door closing for the last time before retirement. Possibly some are finishing the last shift of a job whose schedule has been exceedingly exhausting. And some may be holding the hand of a dear one for the last time, as a sweet friend of mine did recently. These times of “lasts” can be bittersweet, as we leave one thing behind and look to the future.  

Maybe you’ll be doing something for the last time this week and are not even aware of it. Maybe it will be the last time you darken a particular doorway. Perhaps it will be the last time you watch a little league game. Or maybe it will be the last time you have to endure a chemo treatment before getting a cancer-free declaration.

Recently, my mom and I drove to a particular store only to find that it is permanently closed. The same thing has happened with a restaurant and so many other examples. Now when we are doing something, we kind of pause for a moment and remind the other to take a breath and take it all in, it might be the last time you do it – good or bad.  

In our hurried, chaotic lives, it is so important to be present in the present. To take notice and act when the Lord is prompting us to follow His will.

In the Bible, there are a number of “lasts”.  As just one example, in Genesis 9:11, the Lord makes a covenant with every living creature, with Noah and his family, and with perpetual generations that “neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” As a token of this covenant, he sets a bow in the cloud. Today, we know this token as the rainbow which appears while the sun shines during a rainstorm. My family was reminded of this promise and was able to capture a picture of a rainbow just a few weekends ago.

Ironically, this token rainbow which represents the last time a flood will destroy the earth, will continue on as long as the earth is in existence.

However, in Heaven we get to experience “forevers”. The Lord provided a way for us to never experience “last” times again through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Son of God appeared to His apostles one last time before He ascended into Heaven, and before His return, which is yet to come.

Acts 1:6-11

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

At the end of this extraordinary ascension scene, there is another promise. That when Jesus ascends to His Heavenly home, there will be a time when He returns again. It may have been the last time He was seen on the earth as we know it now, but He will come again and believers can look forward to fellowshipping with Him in Heaven forever.

Ponder this.

Can you remember a last time when you held a parent’s or grandparent’s hand when you crossed a street in your hometown?

If you know Christ as your Saviour, it will just be the beginning of the times you hold your Heavenly Father’s hand walking along the streets of gold in His everlasting Kingdom. Will you let Him gift you with a time of “forevers”?

Love God. And love others enough to point them to Jesus so they too can experience a joyous time of “forevers”.

What will you do with this day you’ve been given? How will you make it matter for His Kingdom?