I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Philippians 1:20-24 NIV
When someone dies it is often expressed by those who are still alive as bad news. However, according to the Gospel, this information is actually a part of the Good News because this is when eternal life begins. When we lose someone we love or simply appreciate, it is a loss for us. We may even look around us and wonder why so much evil is allowed to thrive when one of our soldiers of truth are called Home. Yet, God has numbered our days and appointed us to a purpose for His glory during the time He gives us to live. We will grieve the death of someone special, but joy does come in the morning (and mourning). We can rejoice in the fact that their work in this fallen world is done. We who still live just need to remember that those who now sleep in Christ, will one day live in Christ forever.
Rest in peace, Elijah Cummings.
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