Transition to Eternity

I lost my joyful, generous spirited brother-in-law Dr. Moses Thong suddenly to Covid a couple of weeks ago. He leaves behind his beautiful young wife Jenny, three amazing kids, doting parents and four siblings and their families who adored him. It is painful and tragic. A beautiful young life gone too soon. It is hard to watch the seismic grief, heartbreak and despair especially that of his wife as she tries to pick up the pieces and be strong for her kids and find a way forward. We grieve with hope and knowing this pain and separation is temporary. It is not an easy road but there is hope, redemption and resurrection glory awaiting at the other side of loss, suffering and pain. Though there are no answers, we know that God is a master weaver and God will weave this too into a beautiful story for our family in His time. Through the suffering and sorrow we face in this life, we can have hope that there is eternal glory before us.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

This has hit home even more that our time on earth is limited. We are here today and gone tomorrow. We don’t know when our time is up and God alone knows that and controls when we transition to eternity.
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

How then do I live in the light of this? What would I like to be said at my funeral? How would I like to be remembered? Would I be remembered for making an impact on people’s lives? Would my life be worth eternally? That is why King Solomon so wisely wrote that is good to go to funerals and to reflect on our lives when we still have the time.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NLT)
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.
After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.

We all make many plans – plans for a holiday, plans to marry, plans to have kids, plans to buy a home, plans for a career move, plans to even retire someday.. but do we have a transition plan for moving into eternity? Are we living a life that has eternal value? Are we going to meet our Lord and Savior empty handed or are we going to walk over into eternity having done something of value for others and the Lord? As we go through this life, we constantly need to remind ourselves that our citizenship is in heaven and re-adjust our plans and refocus our lives storing treasure in heaven by serving Christ and people in our world.
Matthew 6:19-21
¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As the famous saying goes “Soon this life as we know it shall pass. Only what’s done for Jesus will last.” It is time to reflect on the worth of what we spend our time and energy on and re-prioritise and focus on what is unseen and eternal and of lasting value.
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

My brother-in-law Moses Thong lived an impactful life, blessing so many with his generous spirit and he left a legacy that is of eternal value. Here is a tribute from his friend, Jonathan Mesen. Thank you Jonathan, so beautifully written.

“He’s gone to be with the Lord”
In most funerals, we say this to comfort the bereaved family but
In Christ, you’ve had faith, so evident that now we doubt not your whereabouts.
Indeed, you’ve gone to be with the Lord, your master whom you’ve served faithfully.
In His presence, you have entered for eternal rest.

A brief life yet you lived beautifully.
Your life and ministry has touched thousands of lives.
Your compassionate heart has moved many.
Your dental clinic was way welcoming than many churches.
You’ve been the hands and feet of God to many.

Many set up business for the temporary but you – the eternal in mind.
The haves will have an option for their next visit but
The poor, the orphans, the widows have lost their guardian angel.
The empty wallet with his ailing child will wander for his next visit.
The heart that seeks every opportunity to serve finally found his eternal home.

Here, you have left behind a Godly legacy.
There a crown of glory to look forward.
Today, the heavenly hosts have witnessed God saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Now you’ve nothing to worry, free from the cares of this world.

To those whom our beloved Dr. Moses Thong has left behind.
Can we look and ponder a little beyond the sympathies we’ve expressed?
Are our lives to be sympathized and pitied instead of our state of being – alive?
Can we fight the fight? Can we finish the race?
Our beloved has done his part brilliantly and his secret is known to all –
He anchored his life in Christ and built his family on the solid rock – Jesus Christ.
You are one beautiful soul.