Reverend Matt Kuiken, of First ARP Church Gastonia, NC officiated my father’s funeral last Friday. A young, up and coming vibrant man of God, he spoke exactly what I believe God wants his people to understand about losing those we love. He framed the beginning of the service that we are to literally “grieve forward.”
Capturing the heart of his message reminded me of what God spoke to Joshua.

Joshua and Moses The Bible Miniseries
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister, my servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites. Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.” (Joshua 1:1-3)
Joshua was commissioned by God to become the leader of the Israelites before Moses died.
Now I just have to interject a personal observation here.
Joshua had some very large shoes to fill. Can you imagine having to step into that realm of authority and notoriety? Maybe it’s me, but Moses appears to always be the one who gets the most attention.
Anyway, back to the post at hand.
Joshua knew Moses’ time on earth was running out. He had been a rookie, an apprentice, a student of one of the most incredible human beings that ever lived. Years together listening to a bunch of griping, complaining wanderers must have connected the two men with a special bond. Most likely, they were very close; maybe a “father/son” relationship that was born out of a mission from God.
As Reverend Matt spoke at dad’s life celebration, the words “grieve forward” must have been what the servant of the Lord was really saying to Joshua.
Grieve with joy, peace, hope and love for the one you will miss, but move ahead while you grieve. Don’t become stuck or stagnant. God obviously didn’t want Joshua to do that nor should we.

Joshua
The Bible Miniseries
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