Last week, I saw a post on Facebook from Randy Evans asking for prayer for his mother. A few days later I saw the obituary notice. I had the opportunity to attend the funeral service this morning. A funeral is a time when the brevity of this life stares us in the face as a stark reality.

Most of my readers know of Randy Evans as a leader in the Republican Party. He is Georgia’s National Committeeman at the Republican National Convention. He is often called on as a guest on national news shows.

This morning, he shared a few prepared remarks on behalf of the family about his mother, Betty Evans. Randy reflected on the impact of his mother in his life and the lives of so many others.

He then said that there was one thing that was of utmost importance that she emphasized. “God has a plan for your life.” Randy closed his remarks with his hopes on behalf of his family and his mother, that everyone listening would know and understand God’s plan for their lives.

Rev. Tim Millwood, Director of Missions for Rehoboth Baptist Association, delivered the message. As Miss Betty would want, and as her surviving husband wanted, he focused his message on God’s plan found in the 14th chapter of John. Jesus spoke of a place. He told them that He was preparing it. He promised that He was the way.

There is a unique mix of emotions at the funeral of one who has placed faith in Christ. Believers who are left behind grieve at the loss of a loved one. In this lifetime, the deceased is gone and will not return. At the same time believers have the hope that the time of separation in this lifetime is but the blink of an eye in comparison to eternity.

We closed the service singing the old hymn, “Amazing Grace.” The last line sums it up. “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.” Our condolences go out to Randy, his father, his brother, and their families.

Mrs. Betty Evans lived her life as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ, sharing with others the hope of eternity and God’s plan for their lives. A funeral is the time when the brevity of this life stares us in the face as a stark reality. We need not despair the brevity of this life because of the hope of eternity in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

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