This evening I'll do something I've done scores of times. I'll share God's word at a service remembering and honoring someone who has died. What makes this funeral notable for me, is this is the first time I've done this on this side of the world.
It reminds me of the universality of death.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”
(Romans 5:12, ESV)
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV)
Geography is just one of the factors that don't matter. People in some places may live longer than people in less developed lands, women outlast men, and the wealthy can afford better healthcare and forestall the inevitable, but sooner or later, all people, everywhere, will pass through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I don't think anyone really denies that fact, we just live as if it weren't true.
That is foolish.
The fact is, though death is inevitable, defeat by death is not necessary. Jesus is the Lord of life. In Him, not only can we overcome death in the final moment, we can live live a quality of life right here in this death-dealing world that is beyond what we can live on our own.
“. . . when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,
this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
So . . . be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
(1 Corinthians 15:54–58, NLT)
Go out and live, really live, wherever you dwell on this globe. (You can find out how here.
Find out about how the Son of God redeems our past,
gives purpose in the present, and
hope for the future,here.
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Chamorros of Guam, etc. One thing that the people of this region seem to be especially good at is celebrating. When we arrived at the church building where our ceremony was held two vendors had already set up shop on the street near the venue. Here, the way you congratulate a graduate is with a lei (Mwara Maram, or something like that, in Chuukese). Only these aren't made of flowers--at least not only flowers--rather they consist of candy, toys, congratulatory messages and even money. I saw one graduate wearing enough candy around his neck to supply a prime location suburban home for a couple Halloweens. The free enterprize-ers were selling these necklaces and other gifts. From the looks of our graduates, the sales were good. 
As I watched these students move their tassel from left to right, signifying that transaction, I was acutely aware of the transitions in my life. It's true about each of us. We are constantly moving from one thing to another. As we were honoring the graduates of PIU, a friend of mine was preparing to be involved in the memorial service for his wife. Some of my colleagues at PIU are moving and changing jobs, another friend is battling cancer, while some others who are dear to me are getting married in just a few weeks. Every moment of every day we live on the border of past and future.
o attend an Easter service on a beach facing the Philippine Sea. I'll have the privilege of sharing the truth about the rising of the Son, two Millennia ago--a reality that gives hope in this messed up world.