When death is close and personal...

My best friend is dying of pancreatic cancer.  He may just have a few more days in this life.  When I spoke with him last week, I didn't know it was likely my last conversation with him; for his condition rapidly nose-dived four days ago.  It took all of us by surprise, especially his dear wife of 37 years, but she is inspiring in the midst of her grief.

Of course, we have prayed that God would have mercy on him, that he would be granted many more years. I have known him for over 40 years, I know his life, and such a request seems so reasonable, so clearly beneficial.  You see, my friend is an exceptional example of faith, scholarship, humility and leadership.  His continued life and contribution would be a wide blessing for so many.  He has taught hundreds, even thousands, around the world...and there is so much more he could do for many years to come...and many would glorify God as a result.  Such aspirations seem so reasonable.

Herein is the quandary.  If God takes him now in these next days, this means that God has determined that such a narrative brings him greater glory than the scenario I envision above, the one that seems so reasonable.  Why then do I remain dismayed?  My feelings of confusion are not unlike those of the disciples who scattered in dismay during our Lord's crucifixion...  They were so convinced of another, more glorious, more normal, more expected narrative.

If the death of God's saints brings him great glory, then we do not really understand very much about the glory that godly service in this life supposedly brings.  And so, to take this thought further, doesn't this mean  that our missional service in the world is not as impressive as we might assume?

We don't know so much...

The Bible is too long . . . and too short!

As I read through the Bible yet again, I'm reminded how loooooong it is.  Serious editing needed to cut it down to a manageable read.  Tangents, rabbit trails, and those lists...enough already.  What we need is a concise collection of what is really important, right?  Then again, as I read, I'm often left with questions...what happened next?  why does the story end there?  what is missing from the description which would help me understand?  why can't there be more explanation?    So, clearly, the Bible is too short, because there is so much missing, right?

Could it be that I'm not such a good judge of what is too much and too little?  Someone with more experience in these matters ought to decide . . . I know, the Author.