Healing Rays of Righteousness

LIFE CHANGED, NOT ENDED

The death of someone we have loved awakens the question, “After death, what happens to the person I knew and loved?” And as our own physical body ages with increasing weaknesses and disabilities, the question may taunt our Christian faith with fearful uncertainties.

In his letter to the Corinthian Christians, the apostle Paul describes the pilgrimage that we call life with its changes occurring throughout life as metamorphosis. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18). The statement translated “are being transformed” is literally a form of the word “metamorphosis” in the Greek language.

To watch the mysterious unfolding of life as an ugly, clumsy, wiggly, caterpillar becomes a beautiful, graceful butterfly is fascinating. We call this life change “metamorphosis,” which is transformation of one type of life into another. And it is one of nature’s prime exhibits of the life change we humans will experience at our moment of death. Our ultimate metamorphosis occurs the moment we meet Christ. Like the freed monarch butterfly, our spirits will be released into the most beautiful life of God’s kingdom.

Then in chapter 5, Paul describes death as moving from an earthly tent to an eternal house. Paul made and sold tents, so he knew what he was talking about. A tent is a fragile, temporary shelter, whereas a home is much more stable and permanent. And so, when the Apostle Paul reflected upon his life’s struggles and the prospect of death, his mind focused on the familiar tent. And so, about death, Paul says, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Cor. 5:1). Thus, for Paul, death is about leaving the tent and going home.

I find it consoling to discover that all of Paul’s writings about death are permeated with the idea that for the Christian, death is not the end, but the key to a new, changed life of dwelling with God. He writes, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” (2 Cor. 5:4).

We tend to think that in death, life is swallowed up by deterioration and decay, but Paul states the opposite, “what is mortal” (limited & dying) is “swallowed up by life” (grand & eternal).

Neither did Paul believe that death was the place of extinction, or that in death we become some disembodied spirit floating around in eternity. Rather, he believed that in death God gives us a new body and that we will be able to love and serve God better than we can now.

And so, Paul assures us that the difference which death makes is not between being and not-being, but rather, it is the difference between living in a tent or living in a house. It is the difference between being away from home or being at home. Most importantly, it is the difference between being separated from the God or dwelling with God in his kingdom.

Earlier in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, Paul is remembering Isaiah’s prophetic vison of a new heaven and new earth (Isaiah 65:17-25) and encourages his readers with this summary regarding what awaits beyond our moment of death. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9).

My above thoughts barely uncover the magnificent, reassuring, comforting words of Jesus himself as he prepared his disciples for his own death and home-going. Read them often!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (John 14:1-4).

Think of breathing new air, and finding it celestial air;

Of feeling invigorated, and finding it immortality;

Of passing from storm and tempest into perfect calm;

O awakening and knowing I am HOME!        

{Author unknown)

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness”– www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 10/30/25

“Punching Holes in the Darkness”

Many years ago, before there were electric lights, the poet, Robert Louis Stevenson, looked out his window one evening and saw the town lamplighter coming down the street, lighting the streetlamps in succession. Stevenson was impressed by the sight and authored a poem about the lamplighter who went along “punching holes in the darkness.” 

Many more years before Robert Louis Stevenson, the Gospel writer, John, records Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (8:12).And then in Matthew’s account, we hear Jesus saying to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” (5:14).

What does this imagery of being “light” mean to you? What do you think Jesus intended to illustrate to us? Could it be that Jesus used this imagery to illustrate the purpose and behavior he expects from his followers? I think so and suggest we consider the following works of light.

Light Reveals. It penetrates darkness and makes known what lies hidden in the darkness. Light shows the path or road, giving both direction and the condition of the way ahead, and warns of obstacles and danger. Light reveals both the good and the bad, truth and lie, beauty and ugly. As followers of Jesus, being light means we penetrate the world’s darkness and make known God’s presence, God’s truth, God’s will. Being light means we bring certainty, direction, purpose, and meaning into our communities of confused and hopeless neighbors.

Light Warms. It penetrates coldness. Like the sun’s warmth, light radiates an invitation to enjoy beauty and warm comfort. As followers of Jesus, being light means we are to be a warm, comforting presence, radiating God’s glowing lovein a world of lonely coldness. Being light means we are Christ’s presence in the school, business, shop, and marketplace, revealing to all that there is more to life than selfish greed and deadly individualism.

Light Awakens. It penetrates sleep. Each morning, we are awakened to a new day with its new possibilities. As followers of Jesus, being light means we awaken people to the reality of God’s Kingdom being present, and that his Lordship over all of his creation is the only source of ultimate truth, power, and hope for any and all of us.

Light Energizes. It penetrates depression and decay. We cannot physically live without light. It takes light to stimulate and encourage growth and healing. And so, as followers of Jesus, being light means we infuse and stimulate aliveness and growth, encouraging healing and hope in communities plagued by dark depression and hopelessness.

Furthermore, Jesus tells us that the purpose of light is both to be seen and to be of service to others. This visibility and service is expressed by Jesus with two illustrations, “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Mt. 5:14-16).

There can be nothing secretive or private about the Christian’s commitment to the Jesus way of life. The disciples of Jesus do not hide in fear or seek to protect self but instead live and work in places where their influence can be both seen and felt. Being light means we are a visible witness to the presence of the Kingdom of God and the rule of Christ in our world of darkness.

Yes, it is our gracious privilege and supreme duty as Jesus followers, to live each day being the community lamplighter going about. “punching holes in the darkness” so that others may see God and find their way home to God and his Kingdom. Amen!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 10/08/25

Jesus Remembers Our Name

It has always been difficult for me to remember the names of persons I have previously met, and am too embarrassed to say, “I need to ask, what is your name?”  And so, I often find it easier to continue conversation with someone without asking or speaking their name.

My reluctance in asking a person their name is because I fear the individual may think that their previous acquaintance and conversation with me was not of importance and value to me. Believe me, nothing is further from the truth. I know that there is no better sound than the sound of your own name being spoken and addressing you, and so, deeply regret my inability to quickly remember names.

I am reminded of this every time I read the first eighteen verses of John 10, where Jesus likens himself to a shepherd and us as his sheep. A first-century Palestinian shepherd lived with his sheep. He knew his sheep; he named his sheep; and each morning he would come to the sheepfold and “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (v.3).Then in verse fourteen, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 

It is so wonderful and reassuring for me to know that in the eyes and heart of Jesus, I am much more than a social security number or picture on a driver’s license. Jesus sees me as a person of great worth with a name. And like a good shepherd, Jesus knows my name and cares so deeply about me that he is willing to die for me.

And, according to Isaiah 49:15-16, God promises never to forget my name; “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

And earlier in Isaiah 40:11, God told Isaiah to shout out to the people that, “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11). This is such a wondrous, comforting, and reassuring thought!

Furthermore, in Psalm 139, we hear David declaring that God knows about all our daily activities, circumstances, thoughts, and groaning laments, even before we speak them. In this psalm, David stands in awe before the Lord and is astounded by how thoroughly and intimately the Lord knows him. And then in verse seventeen, we hear David gratefully praising God, saying “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”

Yes, in Jesus, you and I have an ever-loving, all-powerful shepherd, who calls us by name and daily provides and protects us. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4).

So be encouraged, my friend, even if I forget your name, God remembers and loves to speak your name, inviting you to come near to him for loving embrace, protection, and provision.

And, yes, I know that someday my memory of names will be as perfect as God’s.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 10/02/25