"Built to Last"1

Funeral of Verne Dakin Nov.20, 2004

1Cor.3:10-15; 2Cor.5:1-11; Matt.6:19-21,31-33, 7:24-27

        There are times in life when we feel really shaken. We have our feet knocked out from under us, everything's "all up in the air". This can happen through things like a job change; having to move; encountering some financial loss; or the attack of disease, finding our health affected. Sometimes blows come in the area of relationships: somebody else that we were close to moves away; friendships, romances, even marriages break up; conflict develops; or a loved one dies. Whatever the challenging circumstance, we look for a steadying influence to help us not crumple; we reach out for strengthening and stability.

        Our Biblical heritage reminds us that we can find such help in God, the Almighty. The Psalms refer to Him as "my refuge and strength", a "fortress", a "mighty rock" (Ps.46:1,7; 62:7). Jesus taught that if we trust in Him and His word, and act on what He teaches, we'll be like a man who built His house on a rock which the storms couldn't shake. (Mt.7:24f)

        Verne's father was a builder, a stonemason; he was used to building things that last. Verne's character reflected such strength and granite durability. She had the determination of a Niagara escarpment. She was tough, insisting to the end on staying in her own home: she was NOT going to a nursing home, no matter how many people told her she should! And she got her wish - with the help and graciousness of an incredible team of homecare and healthcare providers. She was resilient, coping with two heavy-drinking husbands; this made her a true survivor - albeit with scars. Verne was bright, resourceful, and independent: a sharp shrewd businesswoman making a go of it through life's ups and downs, developing street smarts along the way. Her drive awes us: for example, at age 65, when most folks are starting to adjust to thoughts of retirement, she uprooted all and moved to Northern Ontario, purchasing a bookstore in Sault Ste Marie. A few years later, about age 72, she bought a beautiful home in Goderich - but until the store sold, they commuted twice a week up to the Sault. Having lived in that area and made the trip a few times a year, the mere thought of that tires me out!

        Despite the hardships of her life, then, Verne survived, even became "successful"; but this brings with it its own temptations. The Lord warns us not to trust in what He calls "mammon": the security of this world; there's a danger of becoming too attached to what we own. We can draw back into our own self-made imaginary fortress and become possessive and self-protective, even slightly paranoid. Jesus cautioned us about laying up treasure where thieves break in and steal. Unfortunately after Charlie died, it wasn't thieves, but helpful drivers and ambulance personnel that had to break in to Verne's home on occasion.

        Anyone who is very self-sufficient and successful faces the temptation of becoming proud, trusting in one's own power, trying to control others through one's amassed resources. Unfortunately Verne had been known to manipulate relationships, consciously or unconsciously driving wedges in and causing pain, hence driving others away. The apostle Paul warns each person to be careful how we build with the materials of our life. Are we building on Jesus' foundation? Are we using blocks of gold, silver, precious stones; or wood, hay, and straw? Judgment day will reveal with fire the quality of each person's work. What is not burned up will be rewarded.

        Verne was far from perfect. But even the worst sinner who truly trusts Christ will be saved, though all their strawy works are burned up. The failures and sins and imperfections of this life give way purely by God's mercy through Jesus' redemptive suffering. He not only associates with our pain and alienation, but takes on Himself the penalty for the poison we try to make others drink: our acidic comments, our coldest emotional iciness. Somehow, mysteriously, through the Resurrection, atonement is made; fresh starts are possible. By His wounds, we are healed.

        Funerals occur because sooner or later this body's "tent" is torn down. But Jesus' Resurrection holds out the promise of a new housing built in the glorified spiritual dimension: 2 Cor.5 says we want "to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." Jesus promised He was going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house - building accommodation for us, as it were. God's grace makes this eternal building possible for us. Despite her failings, Verne did pray; the foundation her mother and father laid for her, emphasizing learning of Bible verses, stayed with her - however much this may have been invisible at times. She was building on eternal bedrock when she recited the Apostle's Creed before going to sleep at night.

        Paul concluded, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) Today is a reminder for the rest of us that one day we too will stand to be judged. If we are wise builders, we'll make it our ambition not to hoard up material possessions; or advance our personal power through power-plays in our relationships; but we'll make it our goal to please the Lord. Let's pray.