Better Than the Alternative?

I’ve heard it. You’ve heard it. I can’t remember, but maybe I’ve said it myself. Maybe you’ve said it too. It is especially frequent among us seniors. You ask someone how they feel, or how they’re doing, and you get a short (or sometimes not so short) report about aches and pains and other recent ailments, then comes the declaration "but I guess it’s better than the alternative."

I have always thought that this declaration, and the other related saying: "any day that I wake up on this side of the grass is a good day!", are a bit out of place when coming from a Christian. Most of the time we say these things just out of habit, and to get a bit of a chuckle, and perhaps to remind ourselves and those we are talking to that it is indeed good to be alive. Recently, however, I had a co-worker say this to me, and I replied "I’m not so sure about that!" The fellow was taken aback, and almost seemed to be insulted. It was, unfortunately, one of those situations when I was unable to stick around and explain what I meant, so I had to leave him in his puzzlement at my response. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will explain it to him.

I love this life as much as anyone here. Anyone who has ever been around me knows that. I have never been suicidal, or anything like that. Yet for the believer in Jesus Christ, this life is NOT better than the alternative! Paul told us:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him."
(1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

Another time he said:
"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."
(Romans 8:18, NLT)

And certainly, for those of us who are in Christ, it should be easy, rather than difficult, to identify with these words:

"I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live." (Philippians 1:23-24, NLT)

Like Paul, I realize that I am here for one reason, and this one reason alone; that God has some thing that He wants to accomplish with my life. And when He decides to take me home, I have no fear of "the alternative" for He Himself has promised that not only is it going to be far better than this life, but far better than anything I am able to imagine. Better than the alternative? I think not!

How often we hear these expressions of "better than the alternative", and how often this simple declaration with it’s humorous intent gives us the opportunity to declare to the world our hope that the alternative for us is indeed God’s better life that He has prepared for us.

As Peter said:

"if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."
(1Peter 3:15)

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today.

Another Noteable Passing

I previously wrote about my friend and former classmate, Lonnie Brown ("And speaking of old friends." January, 2008) who was battling cancer. I received word some time back that on May, 16, Lonnie lost the battle but won the war. Many of us had hoped for a different kind of miracle, but Lonnie had experienced the ultimate miracle of God’s grace that is available to us all. His family reported his passing with these words:

"Lonnie Brown received his healing and promotion on Friday, May 16th at 3:42 in the afternoon while his son-in-law, Rev. Jason Sciscoe was reading John 14. All of his family was there to celebrate his homegoing with singing and worship. The peace and presence of God filled the room, and the strength of your prayers was felt by all. We will never forget the outpouring of love support and prayers during this journey."

And so, once again, I guess that there is just one thing left to say: "Welcome home Lonnie, welcome home!"