Over the past 3-4 weeks, I’ve attended or been a part of several weddings and funerals.  In fact, on one day, I went to a funeral in the morning and a wedding in the afternoon.

While we all know life is a mixture of blessings and heartaches, that truth took on a deeper meaning on the day I experienced those particular highs and lows.

The juxtaposition of those two powerful events left an indelible impression on my heart and my mind.  It forced me to compare the two and to acknowledge more deeply the biblical truths we can glean from them.

Let’s look at what they had in common and where they clearly diverged.

• They were emotionally and spiritually powerful.
• They took weeks or months of careful planning.
• Words of wisdom, selected music, and reminiscing were all present.
• The extended family unit and many friends shared the time together.
• The date will likely be remembered for years and even decades to come.
• There was laughter.
• Tears were shed.

And where did they differ?

• In one, the tears were from broken hearts.  In the other, they were tears of joy.
• Heartache reigned at one event; hopeful expectation at the other.
• One event primarily looked back; the other looked into the future.
• One celebrated a life gone from this world; the other celebrated the uniting of two lives.
• One was a reminder of this fallen world; the other was a picture of Christ and His Church.

Let’s revisit, for a moment, another powerful truth these two events had in common.  God was intimately present during both – walking beside those hurting and those rejoicing.  And He will bring comfort to the sorrowful and joy to those beginning a beautiful chapter in their lives.

As hard as it is to comprehend in these heartbreaking moments, God is still sovereign over it all.  He still grieves what sin brought into his perfect creation.  And He still knows the full picture of what the future holds for each person present at each event.

Most importantly, He knows exactly how He will redeem, restore, and renew the world to come – when Jesus returns and calls all believers to a new life with Him in a New Heaven and New Earth.

That’s exactly where I landed when I grieved the tremendous loss at the funeral and, a few short hours later, rejoiced at all that lay ahead for this lovely Christian couple. 

When this life is over, the contrast between the hard places and the times of blessing will disappear.  There will be no roller coaster of emotions any longer.

God has always had an answer for the sorrow in this fallen world.  Sometimes we experience a small measure of understanding in this life.

But, praise God, we will see clearly one day and can celebrate an eternity with no more death, sorrow, or tears.

Oh, what a day that will be!

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time

are not worth comparing with the glory

that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18