"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV) In Luke's gospel, these are the final words of Jesus before he dies. I read them as ultimate words of trust. Jesus gives his life over to God the Father, trusting in the Father for whatever was yet to come. That's faith, giving your life up to God and trusting in God's plan for your future.
We do not need to be on our deathbed to commit our spirits to God. When that time comes, I hope I can give my life up to God in the same way Jesus does. Because Jesus died and rose, I can have complete confidence that death is not the end, but the gate to eternal life with God. But every day we have the opportunity to commit our spirits to the Lord. The journey of life takes us down many uncertain paths. Things happen over which we have little control. The only way forward is to place our complete trust in God, believing God is present and God knows what is best for us. The way may be uncertain, but God is there. I believe that to be as true for each day of life I am given as it is true when the time of death comes. Committing our spirits to God is a daily act that brings the comfort and hope of God's presence and guidance.
Pastor Jeff that was just what I needed to hear today. It is a daily act of giving ourselves over to our God who knows our suffering from first hand experience and trusting Him and all He has planned. It gives me hope for this journey and into the next.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of the serenity Jesus demonstrated as he died. It is an example for us all, for death is a certainty, whether sooner or later. I must practice that serenity while I live!
ReplyDelete