Of course it’s odd without my Dad.
There was a thought, that I might have shared before, however, and that thought is this
My Dad was dead before I was born.
No, I’m not saying that my Dad was a shell of a man who lived like he was a zombie. I am referring to this fascinating insight that the apostle Paul gave to the church at Colossae.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
Here’s what I mean by my Dad being dead before I was born. He committed his life to Christ before I was born. The example he showed me in his time on earth was of a man whose life was hidden with Christ in God – that is to say, there was evidence from his conduct and commitment that he wasn’t into having a selfish life. He wasn’t primarily concerned with his own welfare, he quietly went about serving the needs of others with his focus on Jesus who enabled him to serve.
It’s quite the model to live up to, which in its way was the set up to consider the ultimate role model who is our life now that we have died.
Then there is that last part of what Paul says in this section. When Christ appears … That is the hope my Dad left with me in his life and example. Living for Jesus, living through Jesus, living by Jesus means that when Jesus appears we appear with Jesus.
That’s a hope worth living for.
(Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 