Unlikely brothers

Baptism. Marriage. Sports.
What do these have in common?
They can create the most unlikely of friendships. And in my life, all three helped bring together unlikely brothers.
Today I am mourning the loss of one of my best friends, Jim Luma.
Jim was my brother in Christ. We have shared a faith in Christ. Our baptisms brought us together as brothers for all of eternity. This is the promise that brings hope in the midst of hopelessness.
Jim was my brother through marriage. We married two of the most wonderful women in the world, who happen to be sisters. Jim married Tasha, and nine months later, I married Michelle. For the last 15 years, we have enjoyed holidays together, gone to Disney together, and spent endless hours together. Those memories will bring laughter and smiles, even in the midst of tears.
Jim was my brother in Steeler nation. After God and family, the Steelers are one of the greatest passions in both of our lives. Many times we would watch a game together, waving our Terrible Towels. Sometimes we were miles away, but would call each other to celebrate a game-winning touchdown or commiserate over a tough loss. This coming season will not be the same, but every time I wave my Terrible Towel, it will bring memories of past celebrations with the biggest Steeler fans know.
Who could have imagined 25 years ago that a football star and a band nerd would become the best of friends? When I was in high school, that would have been an unexpected friendship. But sometimes brothers are brought together by unusual circumstances.
While our high school teams were rivals, our common bond in pro football made us fans together.
While we grew up in two different families, our common bond through marriages made us brothers-in-law.
While our lives were traveling different paths in our youth, our common bond in Christ has made us brothers forever.
Jim, you will be greatly missed, but I look forward to seeing you again. Until then, I'll find comfort in the promise of a new world where you no longer have back pain and you are disease free. A world where I look forward to seeing you again.

Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)