Death and Birth

by Joey Davis

In the movie, The Lion King, it's called "the circle of life." Scientists call it the order of the universe. Ira North called it "balance." The Bible calls it the unalterable plan of God. To me, it's a mixture of tragedy and joy that brings forth from our very souls a sense or hopeful ecstasy.
This past Monday, three of our families became even more familiar with the most joyous and tragic mysteries of life. The Castlemans and Reeves saw loved ones leap the great chasm from the temporal to the eternal. Jeff and Lisa Brown experienced the fruition of a little girl's journey from the Mind of God to the arms of those to whom she is providentially entrusted.
Death and birth are the most puzzling events of life. Without the presence of God, these monumental events are at best mindless, hopeless, or both. Yet because God exists, the return of two brethren to the dust from whence they came ignites our faith and
strengthens our belief that they are now in Abraham's bosom. And because God exists, the escape of an infant girl from the womb fans the names of our hope for a better world and challenges the faithful to be even more careful of their Christian example.
In a way, death and birth are simple messages from God that tell us that He's not finished with us yet. For on the same weekend he reached into His garden to pluck two of His most beautiful roses, He caused another to sprout and begin her journey to true and Godly beauty. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
Kenneth Reeves and Macon Castleman were men of dignity, character, and honor. They were prepared to look on the countenance of Jehovah and depend solely on His Son's grace. Both men died with a good name.
Baby girl Brown has no name at all, as of this moment (although her big brother is leaning toward the names Boomer and Knuckle). She has an entire lifetime to make the name given her as respectable and upright as those who now rest with the Savior. There is so much learning, growing and living to do.
Death and birth are the great equalizers of life. Because of these mysterious beginnings and endings, we see that the circle of life is unbroken, God's universe is orderly, balance is achieved, and the Master's providence is sure. Yesterday, in the hugs of the bereaved, the handshake of a proud father, and the face of a little angel, I was allowed to experience a fabulous day where awe was commonplace and God was merely a whisper away.

February 12, 1995

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Death and Birth by Joey Davis In the movie, The Lion King, it's called "the circle of life." Scientists call it the order of the universe. Ira North called it "balance." The Bible calls it the unalterable plan of God. To me, it's a mixture of tragedy and joy that brings forth from our very souls a sense or hopeful ecstasy. This past Monday, three of our families became even more familiar with the most joyous and tragic mysteries of life. The Castlemans and Reeves saw loved ones leap the great chasm from the temporal to the eternal. Jeff and Lisa Brown experienced the fruition of a little girl's journey from the Mind of God to the arms of those to whom she is providentially entrusted. Death and birth are the most puzzling events of life. Without the presence of God, these monumental events are at best mindless, hopeless, or both. Yet because God exists, the return of two brethren to the dust from whence they came ignites our faith and strengthens our belief that they are now in Abraham's bosom. And because God exists, the escape of an infant girl from the womb fans the names of our hope for a better world and challenges the faithful to be even more careful of their Christian example. In a way, death and birth are simple messages from God that tell us that He's not finished with us yet. For on the same weekend he reached into His garden to pluck two of His most beautiful roses, He caused another to sprout and begin her journey to true and Godly beauty. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Kenneth Reeves and Macon Castleman were men of dignity, character, and honor. They were prepared to look on the countenance of Jehovah and depend solely on His Son's grace. Both men died with a good name. Baby girl Brown has no name at all, as of this moment (although her big brother is leaning toward the names Boomer and Knuckle). She has an entire lifetime to make the name given her as respectable and upright as those who now rest with the Savior. There is so much learning, growing and living to do. Death and birth are the great equalizers of life. Because of these mysterious beginnings and endings, we see that the circle of life is unbroken, God's universe is orderly, balance is achieved, and the Master's providence is sure. Yesterday, in the hugs of the bereaved, the handshake of a proud father, and the face of a little angel, I was allowed to experience a fabulous day where awe was commonplace and God was merely a whisper away. February 12, 1995 Related Articles: Balance -Aug 29, 1999 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM