"God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied with Him in the midst of loss, not prosperity." John Piper
Christ Community Church (where my brother serves as shepherd) has lost another sheep. A young woman, 28, mother of two, missionary to Ethiopia, was called home on Tuesday, January 22, in a car accident in TN.
I remember speaking with her one time. It was a short conversation but one I will never forget- not because of the content of the conversation but because of the love of Christ that radiated through her.
I cannot quit thinking about this situation, praying for the family and the church, and following the story through blogs, etc. The Lord has taught me so much.
First and foremost, my mind has been stayed upon Christ (thank you, Lord). Amber, through the testimony of her journals, friends, and husband, treasured the person of Christ. It would be trite to say that she is in a "better place." No, it is SO much more than that. She is where her treasure is.
In her husband's testimony during the funeral, he told of notes Amber tucked into his suitcase the weeks before her death as he was away in Ethiopia. These notes were not notes proclaiming her love to him but notes proclaiming the love of Christ to Him.
What better way for a wife to lavish love upon her husband than to remind him ALWAYS of the great love of Christ. The love of the most devoted wife cannot compare to a glimpse of our Saviour's love.
Her notes read something like this: Count His presence more precious than every earthly good. Christ, is He not precious to your soul- the only friend to whom you can truly unveil yourself to.
As Anthony said, the great glory of the Lord has been unveiled to Amber. She sees Him face to face for she has become like Him.
I thank the Lord for allowing me to be a part of their journey. I am humbled that the Lord would teach me to pursue Christ, to treasure Christ, to bask in His love, to speak of it always, to hate sin, to love the Saviour, to KNOW Him- not just talk about Him.
No more do I want to pursue loving my husband perfectly, teaching my children properly, keeping my house clean and being a good friend. No, no, no- I want to pursue Christ- every minute, every second of every day. What better gift to give this world than for me to know as much as is humanly possible- the love of Christ and then to give this to others.
If the Lord would call me home- I would want my family to know that I am where my treasure is. . . for truly- to live is Christ and to die is gain.
On the morning of the accident, Amber read in Daily Light, "For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.
Today, in Daily Light Anthony read, "As your days, so shall your strength be."
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS UNFAILING LOVE!
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3 comments:
Our pastor, Todd Brady of First Baptist Church, Paducah, Ky spoke of Amber this past Sunday in his sermon. He used the accident as an intro for his sermon. Todd was the campus minister for Union University in Jackson, TN when Amber attended there, so he knew her personally.
His sermon focused on anger we might have against God because of terrible things that may happen in our lives. He preached from 77th Psalm and made the point that God understands when we are angry and direct that anger toward Him. Go ahead, be angry at God, cry, rail against Him. He will always be there with loving arms to pull you back to Him and He will furnish you the peace and understanding from His Word and His love.
Amazing- it's good to be reminded that God's family is so widespread. If you'd like to know more about Anthony and Amber, click on "Missionary" in my link list.
just from what i've read, it's easy to see that Amber pursued Christ. what an amazing testimony she as, not only from her life, but in her death as well!!
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