Don’t wait until the funeral. Tell them now.

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “The power of words”

Our Bible verse for today: “Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts.” Colossians 4:7-8 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Don’t wait until the funeral. Tell them now.”

I once knew a fellow minister who had performed over 500 funerals in his long ministry career. He was a decades-long fixture in his small town, well-known by everyone, including the directors of the funeral homes. Not only did he perform funerals for the members of his own congregation, but he was frequently called upon by the funeral homes to assist families who had no pastor of their own.

I too have performed many funerals over more than thirty years as a pastor. They are all sad occasions, but many of them are approached as celebrations of a life well-lived and a celebration that the departed loved one is now in heaven. Those are much easier.

There is one thing I love about funerals and memorial services – the tributes that are paid to the departed loved one and the memories that are shared. Typically, there are framed pictures from all seasons of life; significant mementos from the person’s life are displayed; and there is often a visual video picture show. Combine that with the stories that are told, and we often learn much about the dead person that we never knew about them while they were still here with us.

But part of the problem with all the nice things that are said at a funeral is that the dead person doesn’t get to hear them. They’re dead. And often the things we say about someone at their funeral are things we did not say directly to them when they were alive. How sad. What difference might it have made in the person’s life if all those nice things had been said about them and to them while there were still here in this world to hear them?

In Colossians 4:7-8 the Apostle Paul was singing the praises of his friend and partner Tychicus. Paul proclaimed Tychicus to be a dearly beloved brother, a faithful minister, a fellow servant, and an encourager of others. I’m thinking Paul not only said those things about Tychicus but he also said them to Tychicus. This was something Paul did often. He commended and praised the people around him. I don’t think Paul left any doubt in the minds of his friends and loved ones what he thought about them – because he told them what he thought about them.

I encourage you to tell people the nice things you think about them. Don’t save it for their funeral. They’ll be dead then and they won’t hear you. Tell them now.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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