Walking the Streets

I have had many joyous days.  I can say with confidence that my forty years have been beautiful.  I have loved and had the love of one good man.  I have loved and had the love of two sons.  If today would be the day I meet Jesus, I would leave this beautiful life knowing that the best still waits for me.

Death is walking the streets.  He can be seen more plainly than before, and as he goes he leaves a trail of bodies waiting to be placed in mass graves.  Mass graves.  Two words we don't often place together when we describe life in suburban America.  Still Death walks.  Slowly and surely through our streets.  As he goes he twists and turns, taking this one and that one, and leaving one behind. His methods are ruthless, steady, and final.  Devastation and heartache is all you will find when his work is complete.  You would do well to fear such an opponent, for once you have engaged, there will be no recovery.

But what if.

What if Death walked the streets. Ruthless. Steady. Twisting. Turning. Wreaking havoc and devastation, but the poison of finality was no more.....?

Death is the great enemy because of finality.

There are no more baby snuggles. There are no more fudgesicles on a hot day.  No more bike rides through the park.  No more arms enfolding.  No more hands to hold.  No more smiles reaching to bright eyes. No more juicy apples.  No more snowflakes melting on cheeks.

Final.

But.... Once upon a time....  Death, haughty and fierce, waiting since the garden, brought his top game with all its fury and force. And he surrendered to One.

Death walks the streets.  Our streets. Piling bodies to the left and right.  But we can have hope beyond death.  He will twist and turn and mount sorrow upon sorrow but it is not the end.

Softly, tenderly, Jesus says, "Your sin? It's a big problem.  It separates us and it costs a life. But
I paid for it.  Your heart? I want it for my own. Your life? I laid mine down so you could keep it. Believe in me. Believe in the One that sent me. I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End. I will make all things new. Come."

Hope beyond death.  The news you will not see on CNN.

The cities on the hill, we are getting tired, shining out in the chaos in few numbers.  Still we hold our one candle high in the hopes that it will start another.  We pray that it will be so.  Hope is here.  Take hold of it.

My one beautiful life has been a gift.  One I don't relish relinquishing.  But I know when I cross from this life to the next, Jesus will be waiting.

Can you say the same?

Food for thought as Death walks our streets.