This strange phenomenon called life...

when its chemical elements are reduced to ash

-is there something more?

 

Loren Eisley in his The Night Country, observes, "There is no life in the iron, there is no life in the phosphorus, the nitrogen does not contain me, the water that soaks my tissues is not I.  What am I then?"  This is more than a tantalizing question.  It is a desperate one. He adds, "Carbon does not speak, calcium does not remember, iron does not weep."

 

Long before the age of chemical laboratories, the disciples were troubled also over the mystery of life and death.  Jesus assures them and us, "In my  Father's house are many rooms...I go to prepare a place for you."  John 14:2

 

Once we know that at the end of our journey we will be at Home, we can push on through adversity without being crushed.  Moreover, our Lord is on the journey with us, to guide, correct, comfort and heal.  With this assurance, we can echo the words of King David, " Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23

 

Never again can we settle for being no more than chemicals.  Someone has gone to the lengths of suffering and dying on the cross to save us from ourselves...taking all our sins upon Himself.  We are of staggering value, destined to live with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven forever!  Until we join them in glory, our Lord honors us the management of this world, charging us with nonjudgmental love and care of one another.

 

However pleasant or unpleasant, however rich or poor our lives may be on this journey, our deep comfort lies in knowing that we are pilgrims on the way Home.

 

"The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."  Ecclesiastes 12:7

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Jesus said "Today you will be with me in paradise."   Luke 23:43