A dear and precious friend met Jesus face-to-face this past week. Oh, to think of the joy she is experiencing. But it was so sudden and unexpected, it’s been very hard to process. And if it’s been hard for me, I can only imagine how devastated her sweet family is. But there is great grace in these moments also. We have been surprised – but God was not. I’m still trying to wrap words around the blessing this friend was to me. But meanwhile, this beautiful hymn came to mind. Especially that final verse, for surely –
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
In Christ Alone written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Performed by Shane & Shane
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Thank you Steph for your beautiful expressions of sadness about the loss of our dear friend. They echo my tears that seem to start right in my heart. Thank you ,too, for the reminder that Connie has gone to be with our Lord in his perfect timing and that she is enjoying his presence and peace- in Christ alone.
She belongs to Him. Love you.?
So sorry for the loss of your dear friend. The words to the song echo sentiments both for the living and those that have gone on before us. Only by the power of Christ do I stand.