Beyond Death (For Stephen Twinoburyo)

This year kicked off with the death of my brother - Stephen "Mathlionaire" Twinoburyo. Alot can be said about him and how he left an impact on many a life. I was very saddened by the loss of Stephen. I feel like his time was cut short unexpectedly. Yet, I have chosen to celebrate his life and to believe - and indeed i do- that he is in a better place.

I am immensely encouraged by the Scriptures especially in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (AMP)

13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [as in fact He did], even so God [in this same way—by raising them from the dead] will bring with Him those [believers] who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 

This very scripture was indeed one of the Scriptures that was shared at the farewell service for Stephen

That said, I recently was encouraged by a stanza in a song that was to the effect that God is not limited by anything. This is so true. Whereas we often think that death is the end of all things, it wasn't the end for Lazarus. It wasn't the end for Jesus, it wasn't the end for that man whose dead body touched the bones of Elisha. Therefore death is not the end but rather, the beginning of yet another phase of eternal life. 

Come to think about it - We often use our human understanding to judge or explain or plan. Whereas that is not bad or even wrong, we often forget that our limited paradigm has nothing to do with God. For God, any womb, (even Sarah's 90 year old womb) will do. Dead wood like Aaron's rod can bear fruit and flower. Donkeys like Balaam's can talk, Lions can be torn to pieces, Giants can be killed with a pebble, Seas do part, the dead rise, the sick are healed and an immense collection of bones can become a a full fledged army of warriors. 

God doesn't stop there - prostitutes from the "wrong" tribe can become grannies to Jesus, those who stammer can lead multitudes to the promised land (or near it) and even bitter water can be turned to sweet water. Dont even forget that God is the one who invented fast food (manna from heaven) and let me hasten to add that it is God who invented the cloud where he stored one of the most important ingredients for life - not photos or videos but water. Not forgetting that submarine that transported Jonah to his destination.

So, with God, what looks bad to us may actually be the reverse. Like my friend who was derived of a lucrative job improperly only for his former Boss to be indicted and prosecuted later. My friend would certainly have taken the fall for that of he was still at that job at that time. 

Therefore, just as I said at Stephen's farewell service, why should i mourn? Knowing well that Stephen is in a better place? A far better place? 

RIP My Brother Stephen Mathlionaire Twinoburyo

Forever with Jesus

Amen