A Pastor, A Cat & Priorities

Bentley, our cat of 19 years, died 11:45 PM last Sunday night. There is only a very small part of my heart given to Ben, but he represented to me the last living connection to my wife, Jane, who died last summer, and that brought up sorrow for me as I buried him.

As I get older and loved family members, friends and mentors begin to die, I am reminded of the temporality of life and that the really important focus for me is Jesus. If He is my priority, I can willingly and confidently put my life, my death, and my loved ones in His hands. Apostle Paul put it this way:

…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

Sometimes God uses the separation death brings to get us to realize that the one relationship we need more than any other is with Jesus. Seems harsh to us from our personal, self-focused perspective, but when you look at this in terms of eternity you begin to realize that, from God’s perspective, this life of ours is really just a testing period…a proving ground…an affirming experience…a trusting opportunity…a glorifying potential.


While I don’t really expect to see Bentley in heaven, I do know that Jane and many of my family members and friends are either waiting for me or will be joining me. But until that time, God gives us confident assurance that beside the reunion that is ahead, Jesus will walk right beside us during this pilgrimage called the Christian life. He’s a friend who will never leave or forsake us. Make Him your priority today. As Oswald Chambers said, “Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third . . .“

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You may read Pastor Dean's previous posts on the Monday label in the right sidebar. Look for the May 17 and April 12 posts. Oh, and here's something exciting! In three weeks he'll be getting married to a widow he met last November, and she'll be moving to WV, where Dean is pastor. I pray God's richest blessings on them both!  ♥ ferree