My Whole Life Is a God Story by Anne Wilsonનમૂનો

Day Three: From Death to Life

None of us are prepared for the worst day of our lives, but Jesus is never caught off guard. One of the worst pages in the book of my life is the early morning I found out my beloved brother Jacob had died in a car accident, eight years ago. The world stood still. The grief in my home was unbearable. Except I heard the small still voice of my Savior asking if I trusted Him, even as my heart was shattering. I could never dream of the journey from death to life that stood before me in that moment.

The next hours and days were among the hardest I had ever lived. I turned to my Jesus and my piano to get me through, worshipping through tears and tribulation. My parents were encouraged and surprised to hear me singing, believing I had an unrealized gift, and asked if I would consider singing at Jacob’s funeral. I know it was the strength of God that inspired me, as declaring "What a Beautiful Name" ministered not only to me, but to the whole church that afternoon. Yes, I was honoring Jacob’s life, but we were all also worshipping the One who gives and takes away.

Zephaniah tells us in 3:17 (NIV): “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Not only did I find this to be true, but He graciously allowed me to rejoice over Him with singing.

In some ways, I pray no one has to know that heartbreak, but in other ways, it is sometimes desperate grieving that transports us straight into the arms of Jesus. His Presence is powerful and His Word is true - He is close to the brokenhearted.

What the enemy means for evil, the Lord will always take and make good…even death. My brother’s death still hurts my heart, but out of the ashes of my family’s grief…a ministry to proclaim Jesus across the world was born. Jesus took my faith through death and brought it to a more intentional life. He is the only One who has conquered death and Who offers life to all of us who accept His offer. I truly believe with all of my heart: God writes the best stories!

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for the beauty only You bring from ashes. Thank you for when we think the story is over, You turn the page and write a new chapter. You are the best Author. May You use our lives to speak life into the lost. Amen!