For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
Astronaut Shannon Lucid has been on the Russian space station, Mir, for more than four months because a storm and equipment failure forced NASA to postpone his scheduled return. He had to wait another seven weeks, before the space shuttle Atlantis could be launched to bring him back to earth.
Christians are also waiting for an invitation to come home, but in a different direction, from earth to heaven, to be with Jesus. When death seems unnecessary to us or to loved ones who are terminally ill, we wonder why God allows His children to suffer suffering on earth and not immediately take them back to heaven.
The apostle Paul also struggled to understand the situation he had to face: "I am urged on two sides: I want to go and live with Christ--that is much better; but it is more necessary to stay in this world because of you" (Philippians 1:23-24).
Even when we can't see God's intentions, we can still trust His wisdom. With infinite understanding and unfailing love, He always cares for the suffering of His children, even their friends and family.
To us, it seems that departure is still being delayed. But God has determined the right time to take His children home one by one -- DCM
GOD'S TIME IS ALWAYS PERFECT--EVEN FOR DEATH
* Take from Daily Reflections