Bro. Alan Tunnell, San Diego, CA, fell asleep in Christ March 1, 1998 at the age of 23. Bro. Alan and his family are well known, particularly among the young people in North America.
As young people, we often think we are untouchable. As believers, we think we are protected in some way from premature death. We are neither, It is so very easy to become preoccupied with this life. Our time is spent either worrying about enjoying today or planning for tomorrow – are we happy in our career choices, should we buy a house, a car, plan for retirement savings, or get ahead with our academic goals? Our plans are carefully laid and our appointment calendars are full, after before consulting God and forgetting that it depends on His will.
Then reality strikes. Someone so young and energetic, his life suddenly crippled by disease with no chance of earthly plans for tomorrow or the next day, is taken from among us.
Shocking and absolutely heartbreaking, it leaves us to bitterly question – Where is our God? Why do these things happen? Why must it be one of us instead of the wicked who continue to prosper while the righteous suffer?
The seeming injustice of it all is overwhelming.
It is times like these that we are forced to take a long hard look at ourselves. Where does God really fit in? Does He take first priority or just the few hours we manage to give on Sunday morning? Do we serve ourselves or others? Do we take time out of our day to look out for those in need or do we tend to our own worries instead? How often do we strengthen and lift up each other in the bonds of our faith? Too often, our time together is spent being harsh and critical of one another and quarreling among ourselves.
Our walk requires faith and trust in Almighty God, the creator of everything we see and enjoy around us. He is the Father who knows our sufferings, answers the cries of those who call on Him, heals the broken in heart and binds their wounds (Psa 147:3). We trust in our Father whose only begotten Son offered himself to die, a lonely and cruel death, to redeem us from all iniquity. Because of him, we do not look for a life of this world, but one of the next, where all sorrow and suffering will be put away (Rev. 21:4).
Although at times we do not understand His ways we must remember that His thoughts are not our thoughts and He will, as a shepherd, care for each and every one of us. Have confidence – there will be a kingdom, for He keeps His promises. Our Lord tells us to have faith in God, believe and never doubt that what He says will come to pass.
We are but chaff in the wind, we wither and perish as the grasses of the field. There is much to do and little time to do it before our Lord returns. The gospel has yet to be preached through all the lands … how much to our friends and neighbors know about the message we bear? Living day to day is not enough, we need to be active or else we shame our Savior by our failure to preach the word. Prayer is essential to communicate with our God. Jesus confirms this when he says, “Whatever you as for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and you will” (Mk. 11:24 RSV). It is our duty then to be fervent in prayer, asking that Christ’s return should be today.
For Alan his next waking moment will be the coming of his Lord, Let’s learn from the example of his faith and those who have died before him. Live as if it is our last day, cautions when we plan our time and ever heedful of Christ’s words: “Take heed, watch – for you do not know when the time will come” (Mk. 13:33 RSV).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One