I had the privilege of knowing Isaac Smith, his smile and laugh will not be forgotten. He was the ideal student for a teacher, (any teacher, I would imagine) bright, attentive, with a heart passionate to know more about God. You could simply look at his face and tell gears were constantly moving behind those bright eyes. He spoke from a depth and maturity beyond his years, and was truly a pleasure to be around.
My father emailed me, while I was in the Laidlaw Library. I haven't wept like this since the death of a treasured highschool friend. This isn't an email you ever want to receive or could even fathom. I was in front of my laptop when I started crying, and praise God that I had two Godly friends alongside of me. We stopped in the middle of the library and just prayed. For the family, for the friends and the salvation of the truck driver.
I distinctly remember Isaac's father Josh asking me about my vision behind the youth ministry at DCC. It was the first time I had been asked this by a parent, and I wasn't the slightest bit put off. What I saw was a father that loved his son, seeking the absolute best for him. Isaac loved God with his whole heart, and I know that was in part to witnessing his father live with integrity and model what matters most. I can't imagine what this feels like for a family, let alone on fathers day.
What I do know is that we have a Father in heaven that is greatly concerned with our struggles and wants the absolute best for us. He created a perfect world, in perfect relationship with his creation. Sin fractured this relationship and now disease, sickness and death became present realities. I can't imagine the grief God experiences now, death isn't the way he intended it to be. Death is terrible, and Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that we don't have an absentee god aloof in the clouds, unable to understand suffering. We have a God that has been through it and experienced loss. The hope of the believer rests firmly on Gods promise of salvation. The death and Resurrection of Christ firmly established His kingdom here on earth. For the believer whose hope is in the Lord, we know that death isn't the end.
In Revelation, God promises all things to be made new: a new heaven and a new earth free from sin. We enter into this promise as heirs of to His Kingdom. The Lord gives rest to those who are weary. Isaac's present reality is a world free from tears, sin and death. Praise God for all he has done and the assurance we have as believers in his promise. We place all hope in our heavenly father, who keeps his promises. Our time is short. A horrible tragedy like this reminds me of the current state we live in, and the need to maximize our time sharing the joy and hope that comes from living in obedience to the Father. We don't know how long we have, and we mustn't live lives like we are here forever. One day everything will be made right with Christs return, death will be forgotten.
I pray with all my heart for peace that surpasses ALL understanding, to the Smith family. This is a terrible situation, but I rest on the promise that good will eventually come from it.
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