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Death cannot destroy

For some reason, I'm thinking of both All Saints and the first law of thermodynamics today. 
Aren't you? 

Today is the Feast of All Saints, the day upon which we celebrate the lives of the faithful who have gone on to their reward. I want to be able to say that I am celebrating, but mostly I am missing people today. My grandparents, a mentor, friends, classmates... all gone too soon to my way of thinking. 

The first law of thermodynamics is that energy can be transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed. I could talk more about heat and energy conservation- the principles of thermodynamics- but that's not what I want to say. 

Energy can be transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed. 

There's no way to talk about this without seeming a little out there, but stick with me. Scientifically, I know that our bodies decay, but spiritually I believe death is not the end God intends for us. We are transformed in ways we don't understand after death. I can't speculate as to how or where or even when, but I have a hard time thinking that we are fearfully and wonderfully made for a span of a few short years and that's it. 

(Neither do I assume eternity is a like a long church service.) 

In thinking of the saints I have known, today I am pondering how God has transformed their energy. The work of their lives affected me and it touches people with whom I interact- sometimes daily. Their energy, in part, transfers to me and others who knew and loved them. 

And I think God is still using them- not just through the memories and works that remain, but in some way that is beyond our comprehension. 

In Revelation, the saints intercede for the believers who remain on earth. Perhaps they are praying for us. Maybe they are worshipping with us. Maybe they are doing work on a plane as yet beyond our understanding. 

However, on this day, I'm comforted by believing that their lives have been transformed, but not destroyed. That their energy is altered, but still powerful. That their lives continue to matter, even beyond our memories. 




Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. 

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