Annette Van Zyl Memorial Service
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Beloved family and friends of Annette, Jacob, Karel. Today we are celebrating Annette. Annette was God’s gift to you, to us. God worked powerfully through her. He impressed on her, already at the young age of three, to serve him as a doctor. Determined to do His will, she took herself to school at age 5, became a star pupil which marked her determination throughout her life.
We are able to see God’s plan woven throughout her life. God brought a young theological student, Jacob, into her life. His wisdom, love and character helped shape her care of others. As a young doctor, God worked through her hands in bringing a “stillborn” baby back to life. On the day Annette graduated with her doctoral degree, this young man also graduated, having studied medicine because God had placed her in his path.
Annette’s passion for healing medicine led her to become a psychiatrist. She did extensive research on depression in children and adolescents which helped identify and treat vulnerable people. Her wisdom enabled her to help educators and parents. Her work drew invitations to speak at two world conferences.
Throughout her life, Annette remained confident in God. As a disciple of Jesus, she trusted in him. records Jesus’ words of comfort to his disciples on the night he was betrayed. Later he’d be tried in a court of law, declared guilty on false charges, declared innocent by Pontius Pilate who, under pressure from the people, sentenced him to death on a cross.
Jesus knew that his disciples’ hearts would soon be troubled. Troubled to see what would happen to their friend, their Lord and Saviour. Troubled by life. Jesus encouraged them to trust the Father, and to trust him. Jesus knew the path he was on, and he knew that this was the only way to save his disciples from their sins.
Annette trusted in Jesus. Her heart and mind rested in him, particularly in these last years and days. Annette suffered from dementia and so depended on Jesus all the more. He did so through West Highlands, through Jake, through Maranatha, through Pastor Jim.
Annette also trusted Jesus’ promises. Jesus assured her that there is a place for her in his Father’s house. That Jesus has prepared it for her. The words that Jesus uses here are words a Jewish man would have made to his girlfriend. Instead of saying, “Will you marry me?” He’d have said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” And he’d leave, add an addition onto his dad’s house, and when it was complete, come back for her, marry her, and bring her into his home.
In using this pattern of speech, Jesus is telling us a lot. Jesus loves us so much that he laid down his life for us. He is building onto his father’s house to create space for us. And when the time is ready, he will come for us.
On Monday, Feb. 18, Jesus came for Annette. He carried her home, and brought an end to her struggles and suffering here. She is now with her saviour Jesus Christ.
One day, Jesus will come again. On that day, our physical bodies will be made new, and the spiritual and physical will be reunited, in Christ. This will usher in the new heaven and the new earth.
Are your hearts troubled? Jake, Karel, family and friends, our hearts are a little troubled. We face a period of time where Annette is no long physically present in our lives. No more trips to West Highlands. No more trips to the hospital.
Let us trust in God, let us trust in Jesus. Let us lay hold of Jesus’ promise that there is a place prepared for us in heaven.
Have you trusted Jesus? If not, then do so today. Take the words of to heart. Let them give you comfort and assurance that Jesus Christ has made a way for you to come to the Father. That’s it. Trust Jesus. Trust he will come to take you to be with him, for all eternity.
In this time between times, the Holy Spirit is with us. The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us, comforts us and strengthens us in every moment of every day. Trust in him. Amen.