Read It, Learn It,
Live It, Share It
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
Hundreds gather. All
dressed in black, the men wear ties and the ladies carry tissues. The room is filled beyond capacity, and some
are forced to stand along the back wall as the room quiets. In a quiet murmur the chorus of Amazing Grace
begins echoing through the chamber.
Without request the people in attendance rise and sing along with the
chorus. Throughout the song the sounds
of emotion can be heard, sniffing and soft whimpering can be heard all the way
to the heavy oak beams of the arched ceiling.
The back doors open and the minister walks into the room. His hands folded and carrying the scriptures,
walking slowly to the front of the congregation.
Laying his bible on the podium he begins to preach from the 23rd Psalm, Deuteronomy and Philippians. He spent the first 15 minutes speaking of the infinite love of the Father and the inability for anyone to avoid death in the end. As he wrapped up his monologue, a young man dressed smartly in black suit, white shirt and black tie stepped to the podium. “Why are you here?”, he asked and then stepped away from the podium, walked to the casket and placed a photograph on the mahogany box. Stepping back up to the microphone he began telling the story of how his life had been saved by the deceased. He spoke of long nights on the phone, he spoke of the simplicity of life through his friends eyes. He shared story after story of how this person went out of their way to give of themselves to everyone else.
He spoke of words like legacy, values, morals and ethics. Describing the beloved character as trustworthy, reliable and loving. A day had not gone by that this young man’s life had not been impacted by the one who’s life was taken far too early. He finished his eulogy with the singing of his friend’s favorite song, Thank You, by Ray Bolz, and stepped away from the microphone. As he did the screens in the front of the church showed a slideshow of his life with his friend. The first slide was of him in the hospital holding his friend when he was born only 8 years ago. He was born with an untreatable blood disease and was given 6 months to live.
The baby’s mother died during birth, and his father had long disappeared by that time. The baby became an orphan the moment he took his first breath. He would spend the next 8 years in a wheelchair and IV drip. He was a ward of the state and spent his life in and out of foster care and hospitals. Yet, despite his condition and his unfortunate circumstances in life, this young boy had an unbelievable ability to preach the gospel. From the moment he could communicate, he was talking of the love of God the Father and His Son – Jesus Christ. As people would come and go in the hospital or in the orphanage, with a boldness he would confront them with the story of Jesus Christ death and resurrection. Where did his knowledge come from, where did he discover Jesus Christ at such a young age? With determination right up to his last breath, he dedicated his life to the Lord. As the slideshow ended, the words displayed across the screen, “I have but one life to give to the Lord regardless of how long it lasts.”
If the sun comes up tomorrow without you, what will your legacy say about your commitment to God the Father?
Laying his bible on the podium he begins to preach from the 23rd Psalm, Deuteronomy and Philippians. He spent the first 15 minutes speaking of the infinite love of the Father and the inability for anyone to avoid death in the end. As he wrapped up his monologue, a young man dressed smartly in black suit, white shirt and black tie stepped to the podium. “Why are you here?”, he asked and then stepped away from the podium, walked to the casket and placed a photograph on the mahogany box. Stepping back up to the microphone he began telling the story of how his life had been saved by the deceased. He spoke of long nights on the phone, he spoke of the simplicity of life through his friends eyes. He shared story after story of how this person went out of their way to give of themselves to everyone else.
He spoke of words like legacy, values, morals and ethics. Describing the beloved character as trustworthy, reliable and loving. A day had not gone by that this young man’s life had not been impacted by the one who’s life was taken far too early. He finished his eulogy with the singing of his friend’s favorite song, Thank You, by Ray Bolz, and stepped away from the microphone. As he did the screens in the front of the church showed a slideshow of his life with his friend. The first slide was of him in the hospital holding his friend when he was born only 8 years ago. He was born with an untreatable blood disease and was given 6 months to live.
The baby’s mother died during birth, and his father had long disappeared by that time. The baby became an orphan the moment he took his first breath. He would spend the next 8 years in a wheelchair and IV drip. He was a ward of the state and spent his life in and out of foster care and hospitals. Yet, despite his condition and his unfortunate circumstances in life, this young boy had an unbelievable ability to preach the gospel. From the moment he could communicate, he was talking of the love of God the Father and His Son – Jesus Christ. As people would come and go in the hospital or in the orphanage, with a boldness he would confront them with the story of Jesus Christ death and resurrection. Where did his knowledge come from, where did he discover Jesus Christ at such a young age? With determination right up to his last breath, he dedicated his life to the Lord. As the slideshow ended, the words displayed across the screen, “I have but one life to give to the Lord regardless of how long it lasts.”
If the sun comes up tomorrow without you, what will your legacy say about your commitment to God the Father?
Prayer:
Almighty God,
There is a season for everything, according to Your word. We are daily reminded of the delicate balance of life and death in this world. Some are taken too early, and some are given many years, but each of us are only given one life. Help us to live that life for you and in You, that we might finish the race exhausted and complete. In Your name we pray - Amen
Almighty God,
There is a season for everything, according to Your word. We are daily reminded of the delicate balance of life and death in this world. Some are taken too early, and some are given many years, but each of us are only given one life. Help us to live that life for you and in You, that we might finish the race exhausted and complete. In Your name we pray - Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment