"Extra! Extra! Read All About It!"

Many of the newspapers from 50 years ago have now gone defunct due to the internet and social media.

I have a memory of men carrying around stacks of newspapers, walking the streets and shouting, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Get your Daily Record!” But there is news that will never be defunct—the Good News of Jesus Christ; the Bible; the Word of God. It is the Truth. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” No matter what the daily news tells tells me or what I read by the ding on my phone, God our Father gives me Good News. He will win!

Like some of you, I use Facebook to read all about it. I see photos of babies born and I read news of people who died; stories of life and death—the miracle and mystery of life.

My great-granddaughter Lily Jane had no choice in her birth on February 14, 2023. My husband George had no choice in his death on June 26, 2008. God is sovereign. He has my days numbered. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16

I know people who suffer physically say they just want to go be with the Lord. Their words might be more to escape their present misery than their longing to see Jesus. I like my familiar status on earth, and the mystery of death strains my imagination. So, I would prefer, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly!” I like what my son George says when he feels poorly. He prays, “Jesus, give me another task to do for You!” Don’t die before your time (Ecclesiastes 7:17c).

Going home to be with Jesus is the most important event in our lives. Our call is to work until He comes or calls us home. Work and worship while you are here on earth—even if it’s with conflict, physical suffering, or disappointment. Remember, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!” I place my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and will receive the gift of eternal life through my salvation. I persevere and listen to God’s call and purpose for my life. I listen for one more task to do for Him.

A Gospel quartet, Poet Voices, sings a song: “Yes, I am! Yes, I am! I am going to live in heaven’s splendor. Yes, I am! Yes, I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus hated death and He defeated death for me and for you. Jesus is with me now, and Jesus is with me in death and for eternity. When people hear the news of my passing one day, they will also know my story, my testimony, and celebrate that I crossed the finish line. I can also preplan my celebration. My children know that they need to have a lot of food and take-home boxes after my celebration of life. I have a family member whose will has instructions to sponsor medical students’ tuition in Haiti. What are your plans and instructions? “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” ~Jeanne DeTellis Loudon