In the Presence of Jehovah. . . July 5, 2008

My beautiful friend and sister, Christa Ann Baker, went home to be with Jesus last Saturday, June 28th, 2008. Precious, sweet Christa. She lived her life here on earth in the presence of Jehovah, and because of that, it isn’t hard for me to close my eyes and see her now, up in Heaven, walking next to Jesus on those streets of gold, smiling and talking with her Lord, her face glowing just like it always has…only so much brighter now because it not only reflects a picture of Jesus, but Jesus Himself.

I wanted to do this sooner…to post and write about Christa. But every time I tried, the words would not come. Only tears and an overwhelming flood of emotion. So I will try now. . .

Christa was a true servant of Jesus Christ. She lived her life sold out to and surrendered to Him and His will. He was her first love and the most important thing in her life. But you didn’t have to ask her that either…if you met her, you knew.  She never had to tell me, but I know He was everything to her based on our conversations, her words of wisdom to me, the way she lived, the way she talked about Jesus and the way she talked to Jesus when we would pray together. She was remarkable. I remember watching her many times as she worked and ministered, wondering how on earth she could be real. She was the closest thing to perfect I have ever known. Christa had a beautiful heart that overflowed with joy no matter where she was or what was going on…in the good and the bad. Nothing could shake her or steal her joy because it was the joy of Jesus in her heart. She loved her family. Honored, respected and loved her Dad and her Mom, looked up to and loved her brothers, Aaron and Jason, with all her heart. Christa glorified God through her life and testimony…and by her choices and her service to Christ.

No one in this world can laugh like Christa. We used to make her laugh or tickle her just for the joy of hearing her giggle and squeal. I loved, loved, loved hearing her sing. She had the sweetest, most pure voice and one of my favorite things in the world to do was sing with her….and we did, every chance we got!! I will never forget the year we went to the WILD’S Music Camp and I listened as she sang for one of the voice instructors. It was such a pleasure to listen and watch her sing. I loved it when she would do something or say something the wrong way and I would say “Christa!!!!” Then whenever she would catch on that she done it she would roll her eyes up and put her hand over her face and groan. It always made me laugh. I loved it when she called me “Huuuney” in her southern accent. I loved it at night when she would always say “Love you….” to me before she drifted off to sleep. I loved it when she would tell me to behave myself or try to keep a straight face if she disapproved of something…but she always started giggling. She was never too busy to find out how you were, or why you were down and then pray with you. Her prayers were so simple and sweet, but always so fitting. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right and tell people what they needed to hear and when she talked, people just listened. Christa was an angel.

I don’t understand what happened last week, or why. I’ve tried. Tried very, very hard to understand or even put a few of the pieces together. I just can’t. But who am I to question the ways of a Mighty, Sovereign, Merciful and Compassionate Lord?? I know that Christa only wanted to give God the ultimate glory through her life and whether that be in life or in death would not have mattered to her. I am confident that God can receive so much glory through this tragic event and that lives will change because of His power, grace, His goodness and greatness. At her funeral on Thursday, one of the Pastors said, “We are here not to remember how Christa died, but how she LIVED…” I will ALWAYS, always remember how Christa lived. She made such impact on so many lives including mine. She is someone you could never forget. A friend of mine told me last week, “I didn’t even really know her and I will miss her so much!!” THAT, is the kind of person Christa was. And why is she so unforgettable?? Many reasons….but I believe it’s because of what she let Jesus do in her and through her. I believe it’s because she didn’t live for her life on this earth, she lived for Heaven, she lived for eternity, she lived for Christ. I believe it’s because Christa was totally, completely and wholly devoted to her Savior and He truly was the LORD and MASTER of her life.

“Precious in the sight of Jehovah, is the death of His saints.”

So my question to you and to myself is this: What are you living for? Who are you living for? Do you KNOW what awaits you on the other side?? When you take that final breath, when your heart beats one last time and you stand before the throne of the living God, what will you hear from the voice of Jesus? I know what Christa heard. “Well done, my good and FAITHFUL servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord!!” My desire is to live like Christa, to die with no regrets…but mostly, to live for Jesus and let Jesus live through me. Truly this world is not our home and we are pilgrims passing through…one moment away from eternity.

“I love you Christa, I will miss you but not for long. Soon we will be with you, in that place we call home.”

You can see pictures of Christa below…and for more, go to: www.picasaweb.google.com/ewychopen Album entitled “Beautiful Christa”.