Dear Editor,
As the school year comes to an end I want to share about how God has been working in me. A year ago I lost my only child to cancer. Bonnie died less than a year after graduating from Houghton college in 2013.
I have struggled with my loss. Every day I yearn to see Bonnie again, but I know she is with God in heaven. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” It comforts me to know that those in Christ will never perish because they have everlasting life.
The Holy Bible teaches that every human being has a soul. Our soul is our true self. It is where our complete, core existence is found. Our soul is who we really are. Every Christian can have the assurance that even in physical death there is eternal life that follows. Our body may die but the soul of every Christian goes to heaven. A believer’s physical body then awaits Christ’s call when their physical body will be united with their soul. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 says that those who have fallen asleep (died) will be gathered, both soul and body, unto their Lord.
My question is, “What is in your soul?” Is your identity based on your looks, what you do, your sexuality, receiving justice, or getting your own way? Or is your soul grounded in Christ? Is your main desire in life to love God and keep His commandments in order to honor Him?
Life on earth is not fair. We will not always get what we think is our right. However, our identity needs to be in Christ alone, even if that requires us to let go of those things we treasure here on earth.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Jim Szymanski
