Sitting By The Grave. . . .

On Sunday afternoon I drove home from my son and daughter-in-law's place after a short visit. I was enjoying listening to Robin Mark's latest worship CD, Fly. While heading east on 581 just before crossing the Susquehanna River to the Harrisburg side, something caught my eye to the right. I had never noticed the graveyard on previous trips. But the car and the two people in the graveyard caused me to look.

Next to the car stood a man who looked to be forty-something. He was leaning with his back on the car. His arms were crossed and he was looking down at a grave. It was obvious that the grave was fresh. The dirt was humped as if it had just been filled in. A huge pile of colorful flowers covered the dirt. Perhaps the funeral had been held the day before. As I drove past I looked back over my shoulder at the scene. I noticed a second person at the grave who had been blocked from my view by the car. It was a blond-haired woman. She was sitting cross-legged at the grave with her head cradled in her hands.

Even though I have no idea who these people were, what their story was, or who it was who had been recently buried in that grave, I knew I was looking at some deep grief. Had they just buried a parent? A child? A friend? I asked the Lord to bring comfort to these hurting people. Then, I reached for my radio and advanced the Robin Mark CD to track 11. . . a track I had replayed several times already during the day.

The words to Robin Mark's "You Said" effectively reflect the hope that we have in the midst of the struggles we encounter in our journey through life. The tune soars with hope as it comes to an end. I wondered if those two people I saw at the grave have that hope. I am grateful to God for the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ. Perhaps this song will minister to you as it has to me. . .

You Said

This world is broken, a ship with no anchor
Sailing through space always uncharted waters
Yet we seem to know where we want to go
But we don’t know why we’re here

Millions get lost on their own little journey
Some only stay for a few passing moments
And the only thing that we know for sure
Is some day our journey ends.

But You said You are
The resurrection and the life
And whoever believes in you shall never die.
And you said, that by Your word and power
Even though we die, we’ll live forevermore

And I believe, I believe, I believe in You
You are the way, You are the truth, You are the life everlasting
You are the light, You are the word, You are the Son of the Father