One of my dear friends went to heaven last week. This week her daughter got married. My friend insisted on the wedding taking place. She even planned much of it. Utter joy amid profound grief. What a parallel. Both events happening simultaneously. My friend transitioned to actual heaven, and her daughter transitioned to heaven on earth – a loving, covenant relationship that symbolizes God’s great love for mankind.

There are other parallels that I have watched unfold this week:

(A) I have a beautiful friend with a terrific husband and two young children who found out her cancer progressed to stage 4. In an incredible show of love and affirmation, her loved ones and church family came together for a worship service to surround her and her family in Jesus’s name with prayer, and support. The first focus was on God. Because He is ABLE, no matter the outcome, to perform great miracles in her and her family’s lives. He absolutely will provide comfort, strength, and hope. And healing will come – this side of heaven or the other. What a treasure to feel so surrounded by the peace and presence of God as well as by an army of those standing with you in such a trying time.

(B) A family member has undergone personal and financial devastation through the loss of a job – to the point of near homelessness. Frightened and anxious, she exhibited courage and strength by asking for help from her family. In His mercy, the Lord surrounded her with the love and compassion of family who, as an added blessing, has resources to be able to provide financially until a time when she is on more stable ground. What a gift to not only have loved ones who you assume have your back but who actually show up when necessity calls through fear and pain.

When we experience two extremes simultaneously such as grief and happiness, pain and encouragement, anxiety, and relief, it may make us feel like we are living in parallel universes. In truth, we are just living life. Life is comprised of happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, plenty and want. Often those ride side-by-side. Ecclesiastes 3:16 says “I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is iniquity.”

God’s Son, Jesus, experienced an extreme parallel during Holy Week, the commemoration of which we are approaching. Jesus experienced mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical torture and anguish as He paid the cost for me, for you, and for every imperfect human who could not get to heaven of our own volition. But in doing so, He gave Himself the ultimate joy! “Jesus…For the joy set before Him he endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). He willingly made THE WAY for us to be in heaven with Him forever! “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Then He defeated death by coming back to life to show us He can do it! “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4:14).

In my own parallel, this past week, with all of the pain going on in and around me, I went to the mountains of Colorado for a planned vacation. I have to say that I felt a little guilty enjoying the getaway while my and other hearts were breaking. However, seeing the majesty of God in the beauty of His creation gave me the most incredible reminder of the magnificent Creator and powerful Savior who rules the universe. He has told us that while here on earth, we are bound to earth and its troubles, but for believers in Him, once in heaven we will be set free from earth’s parallels! The lows will be gone, and the highs will be higher than our brains can fathom – eternally! “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy… in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:22, 33)

For those who follow Christ, we are, in fact, living in parallel universes!! We are living in the world, which will pass away, while simultaneously living our eternal life in Christ which began the moment we accepted Him as our Savior and Lord! Eventually, the earthly side will fall away, but the heavenly one will go on forever – just as it already has for my friend Kelly.