What happened?

August 10, 2007

By Scott Harrup

One moment he was pulling into the intersection. The next, he was on the side of the road after the collision.

One moment she was at home munching on a bagel. The next, she was answering the phone and learning her mammogram results needed to be discussed in person.

One moment the family was awaiting their latest new arrival. The next, a baby with an unexpected health crisis was clinging to life.

We all encounter moments when everything changes in a flash. We’re shocked. We don’t want to accept it. The change may seem like a dream at first. What happened?

Devastating change can come through our own mistakes, through others’ actions, or with apparently random events.

The Bible describes such experiences. Imagine Jacob’s shock when his sons reported Joseph’s supposed death by a wild animal. Imagine Moses’ transformation from prince to pariah after a moment of murderous rage. Imagine Naomi burying her husband and sons in a foreign land. Imagine Job in a single day losing everything he held dear.

But not all change is for the worse. Even during difficult changes God is working in our behalf to bring about good (Romans 8:28). And though we cannot comprehend His hidden activity, the results will one day become beautifully and eternally clear.

Because the ultimate “what happened?” moment is awaiting all followers of Christ.

“In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye … the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:52-55, NIV).

Scott Harrup is senior associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.