Justin was increasingly fired-up about the Lord and running alongside people at Harvest truly growing in Him. Vanessa and I have enjoyed dinner with the Azzopardi's talking about the Lord, serving others, and growing in our walks with Jesus. Justin loved Jenny well. He was a servant, committed to helping the disabled find jobs.
Philippians 1:21 says, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Because of Justin's true faith in Christ for the forgiveness of His sins, dying is gain for Justin. This confidence motivated the apostle Paul to live for Christ, knowing that heaven awaited him. A loved-one's death is loss to us, necessitating mourning and remembrance, but this is a loss infused with much confidence in the work of Christ having restored Justin to God. This verse also reminds those of us whom the sovereign Lord is allowing to tarry here that we must live for Christ. Our days are few as Moses reflected in Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom." Death reminds us to be diligent to keep Christ as the priority of our confidence and commission.
It is such an honor to be a part of a church family so committed to the outpouring of love to Jenny and her family during these last 5 days and to what is planned for the coming weeks, months, and longer. We're a family of faith, responsive to the love of Christ in us and for all others, especially our own. Harvest, great job! God is glorified through our love for one another. Let us stay this course!