Reflection #1 on "Breakfast" by Newsboys  [song lyrics]

• originally released by solidsounds.org, 05/13/2005
• author: Suzy C.
• scripture reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

	From the album "Take Me To Your Leader" (1996) Read the song lyrics...

I went to a funeral the other day. The father of a friend of mine had died. He had become a Christian years ago, and the pastor who spoke did a great job of both describing the life of this man and the hope that he lived with. You see, those of us who have surrendered our lives to Jesus live and die with a hope everyone else does not have. The apostle Paul wrote:

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NIV).

In the song "Breakfast," the Newsboys sing about their friend who died. They sing about his quirky habits and a fun song he made up. But they also sing about the hope they have, a hope that they will one day see this friend again, a hope that tells them that he is now in heaven with the Lord. That hope cuts the pain of loss when someone we love dies. We miss them, we want to see them again, there is so much we would like to tell them, but we know they are in a good place, safe and well.

But the Newsboys also ask a question in this song: "How do those who do not know the Lord cope with the loss of a loved one?" I might add: How do they cope with the prospect of their own death? We all know there is no way to escape death, every person born will die. Even Jesus died--and His death was one we all deserved. But Jesus rose from the dead. And when we bow our hearts to Him, when we accept His sacrifice and make Him the Lord of our lives, then His Resurrection becomes ours. We have hope. We have a certain future called heaven.

Have you made that decision? Have you accepted Christ? If not, click Meet Jesus. If you have, take a minute and think about those around you whose salvation seems unsure. How do they cope? How would you cope if you did not have Jesus? Let His compassion for them fill your heart. Begin to pray for them. And thank God today that we do not mourn like those without hope.

--Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14