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Our Crown of Life

Revelation 2:10:
“Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

In the past few weeks, I have experienced on two occasions the deep faith of my friends who have developmental disabilities, and their way of coping with death.

At our Bethesda group home in Caledonia, Mich., all of us experienced the death of our dear friend, Bruce, in September. Bruce came to our Caledonia home in February 2006 and soon became a friend to everyone living there. When I first met Bruce, he said he went to church all of his life because that is what Jesus told us to do and when he was old, Jesus would call him home to heaven where he would see his mom and dad.

In September, I received a phone call saying that Bruce was diagnosed with cancer, and he was quite ill. As I visited the group home and talked about Bruce and his illness, I heard Bruce's housemates say that Jesus loved Bruce and someday Jesus will call him home to heaven.

On Wednesday evening we all went into Bruce’s room. We held hands and encircled his bed, and we prayed for Bruce, asking God to be with him, comfort him and take him home, if that was God’s will. That Thursday afternoon, some of us went into Bruce’s room to sing his favorite hymns and pray over him, and during my devotion that evening we talked about our Bible verse. Again, we all joined hands and prayed for Bruce. That evening, Bruce died.

As we told everyone about Bruce, they were all very sad. Through their tears, everyone said that Bruce loved Jesus, and he was now in heaven. Roger spoke up and said, “Bruce will be celebrating his birthday (which is in December) in heaven.” Kathy shared with us, “Bruce is having a happy time with his parents and maybe even talking to my mom.” Deb said, “Bruce has been a good and faithful person, and he now lives in heaven with God, wearing his crown of life.” Their faith is truly strong, and so are their prayers and songs of Christian faith.

The other day Laurie, a lady in my special needs Bible class, told me her mother was not doing well and that hospice was called in to take care of her. As I began class, Laurie’s face became sad. We talked about God’s love for us, the blessings He gives us each and every day, and how we must be faithful Christians at all times. Laurie spoke up and said, “We must be faithful unto death to get our crown of life.”

Laurie’s mom died this past Tuesday. I told the family about our discussion in Bible class and how Laurie recited the Bible verse. They were pleased that Laurie knew this verse. They plan to read it at their mom’s funeral.

Lisa, a former student of mine from my special needs Bible class, called me today because she heard about Laurie’s mom. She wanted to make sure she had the correct home address for Laurie, because she wanted to send her a sympathy card. Lisa said she was going to write this message in Laurie’s card, “Be strong and take it one day at a time. Jesus will be there to help you.”

Lisa lost her dad this past spring. She said Laurie and her family would feel sad for a long time, but it will get better because she knows her mom lives in heaven.

Lisa also mentioned the Bible verse that I had given to her at the time of her confirmation. She recited it to me over the phone, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Lisa said that if Laurie remembers that verse, she will be fine.

In the heart of these individuals is a strong faith in God, His Word and His promise of everlasting life. They believe without question that one day they will live in heaven and receive their crown of life. At first they have tears for their friend or family member, and they miss them very much, but they quickly remember what they have learned of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Someday they will see their loved one again in heaven.

May we all have a strong faith and continue to study and share the good news, to be faithful in serving our Lord so that we, too, at the time of our death will receive our crown of life.

Dear Heavenly Father, there will be times when we are sad because someone close to us has died. Help us to be strong and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others so that one day all who believe in You will be in heaven to receive their crown of life. Amen.