"It is finished" aren't words we usually use to describe the death of someone we love.
"It is unfinished" would be more accurate. The suddenlies of unexpected death break our hearts in the blink of an eye. Nobody is ready for the unexpected. We're left screaming from somewhere deep inside: "Wait! This can't be happening! We aren't finished with life yet!" Instead of feeling like something has been finished, we're left with the taste of bitter wine.
"It is finished." Those words seem fine for Jesus, but they don't seem to provide any understanding for the rest of us. Maybe they are words for a yet appointed time, but that's of little comfort in this moment. Someday, most likely in heaven, all things that worked together for good will be understood. Until then there is only hope in the future.
Some people carry a greater brokenness than others. They come from a lineage of brokenness. That's a Christ-like legacy. The greater the brokenness, the greater the potential for a greater capacity to love. The greatest leaders in God's kingdom are those who have suffered the most. They have learned to love mercy, treat others with compassion and walk humbly.
"It is finished" are words of wisdom that provide understanding for the last who will become first. Enduring pain is the perseverance root that grows into compassion. Your pain is a seed that will take several painful seasons to germinate. I'm asking Jesus right now to kneel before you as He holds your hearts in His hands. I pray that he whispers to your hearts, "I'm holding you and I won't let you sink any deeper. My love is sufficient for you. Someday you'll understand, but for now, just believe that I feel all your pain and you are not alone."
"It is finished." I don't believe those are the words that Jesus would have preferred for His "end of life" script. The day before His death, He asked God to take away the cup of suffering, but then He added, "Not my will, but Your will be done." There are many times in life that we would gladly take away the cup of suffering from someone we love or even a stranger. God doesn't work that way, He gives a crown of beauty for ashes. He let's the sun set before He allows the sun to rise.
I'm writing these words in the evening of a day on which someone I loved has had their life finished. Dr. Mike Pelechaty is resting in the everlasting arms of God tonight. Mike was a man of God, husband, father, Pastor, friend, mentor, disciple, and provider to folks in need. He was a former Board Member at Youth With A Purpose Inc. Mike brought people together and talked about God. He challenged them and provoked them into actively seeking more of God.
It might be appropriate to say,
"The world is a lesser place because Mike Pelechaty has left it."It would be better to say,
"The world is a better place because of the legacy that Mike Pelechaty has left it."We love you Mike. I pray that somebody in heaven will pass along this message to you:
"Jesus loves you and so do we."Bob & Linda Kuebler
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“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
Matthew 25:21
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”
Daniel 12:3
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
1 John 3:2
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Thanks for your time. Please pray for Mike's wife, family and friends.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
Sunday, December 18, 2016, 8:56 PM
Buffalo, NY, USA
