At the end of August 2022, I received word that my friend Anya Alexeyeva was dying. All her doctors had given up on her and sent her home to die. As soon as this news reached me, I immediately began calling out to the Lord with my questions and requests for this dear soul. No matter how difficult things may be for us here, there is always hope that, in answer to our prayers, God can change a great deal. Each time, I anticipate an extraordinary answer and wait to see how my faith will be rewarded.
Anya and I met at a camp meeting while we were eating at the same table. As usual, I offered her my friendship. It was very interesting to observe her. She did not agree immediately, but from that moment on, she studied me very carefully. The years passed, and from time to time my dear sister and I crossed paths, sharing the joys of life in Christ.
When enrollment opened for students in the School of Agape Love, Anya immediately joined those who desired to study the science of love. From that time forward, our relationship began to develop and grow stronger.
As I listened to Anya’s answers to the lessons and responded to her questions, we came to know one another better and to learn more about each other. Our mutually friendly fellowship began revealing to us those hidden treasures of our hearts that cannot be seen by a superficial glance. Anya told me the story of her illness, and I began to understand that our friendship on this Earth would not last long. But the months and then the years passed, and we came to know one another better and better. Together we experienced our little joys, together we grieved over certain problems, and together we sought the best way out of dead ends.
Anya understood that this world did not have very much to offer her, so she built her beautiful Heavenly future while living in her temporary body. To me, she became an example of optimism at the edge of her approaching grave, and I became accustomed to speaking with her in a joyful spirit.
There were times when Anya disagreed with some of my thoughts and expressed her objection in her homework answers. I listened to her and asked her to publish those answers in our group so that others could also learn her point of view. She was frankly surprised, and then she tried to understand me as well.
There were many occasions when trouble came to Anya or her family, and I was one of those with whom she dared to share her small sorrow. We prayed for one another and for the problems to be resolved. And the Lord gave us amazing answers.
When I was told that my friend was dying, I began praying for her again and decided to speak with her. She was in a very serious condition and did not respond for a long time. When she was able to talk, I set aside all my affairs and spoke with her for as long as she was able and desired.
From the very beginning of the conversation, I told her that I was not calling to bury her, but to gladden her heart, share something positive, and simply say something pleasant. She was surprised and delighted. Gradually, our conversation turned to Eternity. We agreed that we would be neighbors there, and later I asked Jesus for this in prayer. I also promised her that if her Eternal home was small, I would build a second story for her and invite the biblical patriarchs to help me. Anya laughed with joy like a child and understood that this was real and would happen very soon. We discussed a few more details of the future life, and I assured Anya that when the Lord laid her down to rest, the next moment she would awaken, and then at last we would meet, never to part again. Our conversation lasted about half an hour. Then Anya said that she was in severe pain and could no longer speak. I prayed, and we parted as friends.
Two days later, Anya was gone. When I received the news, I was surprised that I felt no regret and no sense of bitter loss. I understood that this dear person had become even closer to me, and that her earthly suffering had ended forever. I felt such joy that I had managed to do something kind for her and that we had been able to make arrangements concerning something important.
Verses from the Bible about the death of the righteous came to mind. And the Lord gave comfort through the hope of a soon reunion.
Until her very last day, Anya wanted to do something for the Lord and serve Him in some way. When she learned that a house was standing empty somewhere, she decided to hold a health retreat there and give some of the guests hope for a better and healthier life. And I never ceased to marvel at how much a weak person can accomplish when relying upon the Lord and beginning to take action. I become a witness to the miracles of God’s power and grace that accompany every work of God.
In one way or another, all of us will approach the boundary of life called death. Only those who meet Jesus while still alive will never know what it is. But I know for certain that whenever this boundary begins for anyone, at the first resurrection that person will not regret having failed to live long enough or enjoy all the pleasures of the world.
Anya will not regret for even a second that she left this world so early. She is not here now, but from her perspective, almost immediately afterward she is welcoming all of us with the joyful embraces of Eternal friendship and love. Then we will invite her to continue studying and learning the lessons through which she slept. I do not think she will object—especially since we agreed about this as well. I even promised to invite David and Solomon to her class.
Perhaps someone is reading all this and does not believe it will happen. It will. It most certainly will! And it will be far better and more interesting.
Do not think, my friends, that we will study something here until the Second Coming and then scatter in every direction. The School of Agape Love must begin at some point in every person’s life so that afterward it will never end.
Although Jesus Himself will teach us and reveal the mysteries of Eternal Life, and the Holy Spirit will inscribe God’s love upon our hearts, human mediation and participation will also be needed in abundance.
What does our earthly life look like in the light of Eternal Life? It is a tiny drop of water in a boundless ocean. And what is more interesting to focus our attention upon: the drop of water, or the endless prospects of that limitless expanse of water with its unfathomable depths and unending revelations?
Yet some people cling so firmly to their drop of water and try to squeeze everything out of it that they make no attempt even to understand that another dimension of life also exists.
Love opens the doors to Eternal values that captivate the mind so completely that you understand the following: this world must become a springboard from which to plunge in headfirst.
The message to Laodicea shows us the prospect of an Eternal relationship with Jesus, which He counsels me to enter. I will never understand the fullness of what the Faithful Witness offers me until I set out upon the path of this mutual trade. And the most interesting part is that, as we buy all the treasures of the universe from the invisible God, we can use them to enrich both our own lives and the lives of those who, together with us, have decided to trade Eternally.
Before her death, my friend Anya enriched me so greatly with her positive spirit and her love of friendship that I very much want to share all this with you. Her sincere laughter, her kind words, and her unseen smile remain in my memory to this day and live within my heart.
Bible Verses for Reflection
Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13; Isaiah 57:1–2; 1 Corinthians 15:50–57; Ecclesiastes 2:12–17; 7:4; 9:4–10; Proverbs 17:17, 22; Ecclesiastes 11:8; Luke 11:34; James 3:18; Psalm 32:11; 97:12; 119:165; 133:1; Romans 12:15; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.