Are You Ready? (2 of 3 in series)
March 13th, 2010Thousands of people have posted comments on the laylagrace website, with one after another saying things like this:
I have reached out to Twitter, Facebook and all the social network sites, just to feel a sense of unity, that I’m not crazy for feeling this way. My family can’t seem to understand why I’ve been affected so much, to be honest, neither can I. But I am thankful for being introduced to Layla. I thank the Marsh family for sharing her journey with me. I will never be the same.
Others have wondered out loud why they are so powerfully wrapped up in a girl they have never even met. Total strangers have literally wept through the night because of Layla. Why are we so drawn to her? Lots of children die, and each one is tragic. Usually though, we hear the story, get sad for a moment, then move on. Layla has been different. What is it about her story that made so many of us stop and pay attention?
The best I can come up with is GOD. God wants to accomplish something through her life and her death, and so he has been at work to assemble this virtual gathering of people to do whatever it is that he is going to do.
Some of that no doubt has to do with neuroblastoma. Some of it may be to strengthen our families and cause us to reprioritize our lives. But I think there is an even higher purpose that God has in mind.
God wants to make sure that you are ready to die.
It sounds kind of harsh to put it that bluntly, but it is a reality that every single person needs to deal with. Am I ready to die? Am I ready to stand before the God who made me and hear the verdict on where I will spend the rest of eternity? We may not face that moment for another 50 years, but Layla’s death at the age of 2 reminds us that we’re not guaranteed 50 years. We’re not guaranteed tomorrow. Layla’s greatest contribution to this world may be that she causes you to honestly ask that question “Am I ready?” Without Layla, how many of us would have just continued on with our busy lives, never paying any attention to these deeper questions? And I wonder, because of Layla, how many people will stop to truly wrestle through that ultimate question of our life. Am I ready?
Lots of people will answer something like this: “I think I’m ready. I try to be a good person, I’m faithful to my family. I work hard and do my best.” That’s all commendable, but sadly it is not enough. God’s standard for entering into heaven is perfection, and every single one of us comes up short. Even sweet little Layla came up short.
How sad if that’s where the story ended. But it isn’t. What we could never do on our own, God did for us by sending his only son down into the world to live that perfect life that we can’t live, and then to die on the cross in our place. His death pays for our sins, while we in turn are given his perfection. Those who believe in Christ, no matter how bad their background or what they have done, are declared innocent, forgiven, and perfect in the eyes of God.
I realize that I am writing to a very diverse crowd of people, and the only thing you know about me is that I’m some guy that happens to be Layla’s pastor. I’m not sure why God chose me to deliver this message, but he did. Here’s what I believe God wants you to know:
God loves you. He loves you. More than you might ever know. Even though you get so busy that he’s often put on the shelf, he still loves you. Despite the stuff from your past that still haunts you, he loves you. And even though your world is often all screwed up and your family life isn’t what it is supposed to be, he loves you with the most crazy and intense love that you could ever imagine. He loves you so much that he was willing to die in order to save you. You’ve cried tears of sadness because Layla’s body died…but heaven is rejoicing because through Christ she is alive forever. Infinitely more tragic is that person who lives a long full and prosperous life here on earth…but who is dead spiritually.
Some readers will give me an “Amen” and go on their way. Others may write a fiery response challenging what I just said. But, thanks to Layla, there will be some whose hearts are finally tuned in to what God is saying to them. If you are one of those, I’d encourage you to pray this prayer with me:
God, I don’t know why you love me, but you do. Despite all my flaws, despite my past, despite my sins, you love me. And I so want to love you back, and to follow you with the rest of my life. I want to live for a deeper purpose. I want to know the God who made me. I want to be free from the weight and burden of sin. Thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus, down into the world to take all that was wrong and make it right. I thank you that he would suffer and die for me. And I thank you that he didn’t stay dead, but that he rose again. Please, God, I need that to be true – for Layla, for my family, for me. Lord, I’ve been so focused on the things of this world. Help me to see the life that is to come. I love you Lord, and want to live for you from this day on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Part 3 – Where do I go from here?
Pastor Michael,
Thank you so much for this series about Layla. I'm the person who wrote about getting on the various social networks, looking for people who felt as I did about Layla.
Reading this series is helping me to better understand the changes that I'm dealing with…emotionally and spiritually. I'm visiting my church several times a week so that I can feel closer to God and talk w/ Him, and I do feel a sense of calmness and better understanding. I would love to attend one of your services, but living in Austin makes that a little difficult. I will continue to read your blog and inspiring messages.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:13 amI unfortunately didn't get the opportunity to attend Layla's Celebration of Life. My family and I are on a beach in Alabama for Spring Break, but along w/ the joy of spending time w/ my children, I am also allowing myself quiet time to sit and think of Layla, and what her story has brought to my life.
May God bless the Marsh family with the love of their family and friends, for they will certainly need it in the weeks, months, and years to come. May they be blessed with comfort in this time of grieving, and I hope they realize just how much their beautiful daughter has changed my life.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:13 am…how great is our God and how Great the reward for those who love Him in sincerity….you have taught me and others to check our hearts our minds and our sincerity…and committment that we have made or not made in Christ to glorify Him…I love you all and i cry with you at the bodily loss of this precious spirit….but i do so look forward to meeting her in heaven my goodness…just thought …wow how long of a line will that be……………dont matter layla your worth waiting for and i thank you for waiting for me too! hugs and loads of love to you layla and all those who knew her! :'''o(
March 31st, 2010 at 1:45 pm….a Holy Visitation Wave has hit this planet and it was Lil Layla Grace….Precious Layla Grace that had the honor of getting it started….she suffered much for us all and i am grateful to say i knew of such a person ….one so innocent, so willing…so compassionate to be able to comfort others on her own passing through the pictures that were captured….her expressions her love her telling you through those pictures " even though i dont wanna go, and im gonna miss you till we meet again, but i must, God has more for me than this life ….i have much to accomplish for the preparation of the coming of the King is at hand …." what an awesome sacrafice for someone so small to make….even though here she may not have been able to see it …she sure left that sentiment in her pictures…..she is alive in all of us now and there is no letting go…just going forward….thank you layla for your long suffering and thank you marsh family and friends and church body for your long suffering right along with her….
March 31st, 2010 at 1:49 pmwow, : o ) how cool…i love the inspiration that layla has delivered to a many a folk in this world, it just confirms my thoughts on this…..Layla Grace Marsh was truly a beautiful tool used by God to shift and awaken His people Globally….His return is soon and pastor mike how cool to be the presenter of such a message and i believe where layla is concerned many more are out there as well and more will follow…..
this was beginning read last 3 msgs sorry not good at split up part..
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March 31st, 2010 at 1:51 pmDear Pastor Michael,
what you wrote here is just beutiful. I’m a 14 year-old Girl and perhaps I shouldn’t pay so much attention to children’s tragedies and accidents and deaths. But I do. My family says I’m too young but I guess nobody is too young to start loving God and having mercy for all creatures in this cold world. Layla has been like my life saver. Ever since I heard about her, I started to pray even more and started to thank God everything that is given to me troughout the day. Even after her lose I continue to have faith that Layla was here with a purpose and with a message for us to spread in her name. Layla’s story truly touched me. Since the very first day I got to hear about this 2 year-old princess fighting like hell against this powerful type of cancer, I never took her off my mind, even for just a second of the day. I still think about her everyday and still wonder why. Who am I, thought, to try the judgement thing? I’m nobody compared to God and I have no rights to be angry at him. Maybe he really had to take her home, to live eternally happy with all the angels. Maybe it’s true, that there is a Heaven above us and that someday we’ll hold Layla once again and fill her up with all those butterfly kisses that we’ll miss troughout our lives. Layla has teached me a lot, really. I’ve become a better person just by knowing the way Layla fought to stay here. The way she slowly breathed for her last minutes of life, not wanting to let go. I’ve come to wonder how could a 2 year-old be filled with so much innerstrengh as Layla was? and How could a daughter of God, so young and fragile, be the one who touched millions of lives? I believe Layla was an angel since the very first day she started to breath. She always was an angel. And wherever she is now, or whatever could have been, she’s still our very Dear Layla but now with wings.
Amen.
April 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 amPastor,
April 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 amLayla’s story has touched me in a profound way. But, I am angry. Why did she have to suffer so badly. Why an innocent child? I know that sin and sickness entered the world, and all that was good became bad. But, why does he let it happen?
Innocent children shouldn't suffer like Layla did. Such a God shouldn't be worshipped for torturing an innocent souls like this.
April 12th, 2010 at 7:05 pmAnom – we live in a sinful world – not the world God created for us, his children. He created us in His own image to live a life of peace and love. The first humans on earth (Adam & Eve) sinned, therefore bringing sin in to our world. God sent his son, Jesus to die for all of our sins so that we don't have to "work" to be forgiven for things we've done in the past, and things we've yet to do in the future. Because of the sinful world we live in, bad things happen to good people. God doesn't make them happen –but He does guarantee to hold us up giving us peace and love throughout all of our sufferings. He loves us more than any of us could ever imagine -more than a mom loves her own child. Because of this love for us, even though we may suffer – He holds us through it all. He walks it with us. He comforts us when physically and emotionally we have nothing left. He carries us when we can't walk and He lets us cry out on His shoulder, all the while using the bad for something good. While we may not see what comes to pass for months, years or even a lifetime, God always uses our situations. All things work together for the good of those who love Him. So, as I said before – God doesn't "make" bad things happen – it's just the sinful world that we live in. I hope this helps.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:14 amAnom – we live in a sinful world – not the world God created for us, his children. He created us in His own image to live a life of peace and love. The first humans on earth (Adam & Eve) sinned, therefore bringing sin in to our world. God sent his son, Jesus to die for all of our sins so that we don't have to "work" to be forgiven for things we've done in the past, and things we've yet to do in the future. Because of the sinful world we live in, bad things happen to good people. God doesn't make them happen –but He does guarantee to hold us up giving us peace and love throughout all of our sufferings. He loves us more than any of us could ever imagine -more than a mom loves her own child. Because of this love for us, even though we may suffer – He holds us through it all. He walks it with us. He comforts us when physically and emotionally we have nothing left. He carries us when we can't walk and He lets us cry out on His shoulder, all the while using the bad for something good. While we may not see what comes to pass for months, years or even a lifetime, God always uses our situations. All things work together for the good of those who love Him. So, as I said before – God doesn't "make" bad things happen – it's just the sinful world that we live in. I hope this helps.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:14 am