Father, I cannot say “thank you” enough. Your creation, my life, Your protection, and guidance for myself and my loved ones – the attributes of Your love are incalculable! All praise to You, Loving Father!
********
These last few weeks have been difficult ones. We have two family friends who are coming to the ends of their battles with cancer. Both men are members of the church I served as Children’s Pastor several years back. They have also both be employed by Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, one as a professor and one on the administrative end of things.
Both men have impacted countless people with the lives they had lived. And I want to make it very clear that from most people’s perspectives, they have not been movers and shakers from a worldly point of view. No, where they impacted was not just for the here and now…their impact was, is, and will be for eternity.
Their lives have impacted because they are the real deal. They both have pursued their relationship with the Lord with a determined perseverance. And their lives reflected that relationship…that love for their Lord and the love that poured out from them to others because of their intimate relationship with Him.
Truly that is when real impact takes place, when people see Christ in us – in what we say, in how we act…in how we love. When we are Christ to a hurting world, the world responds. When we are genuine, they can’t miss it.
Matthew 5:14-16 proclaims,
“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. AMP
I also want to stress that these Christian brothers were by no means solo acts. Their wives shine just as brightly. Their children do, as well.
How we live out our faith matters! It’s not just a crutch. It’s not one more source of social interaction. It’s not just something that we do to make us feel better about ourselves.
Both families have suffered so much throughout this time. But their lights have not dimmed in the least, if anything, they have continued to grow in intensity! Even amid heartache, and pain, and great impending loss, their faith continues to shine…continues to impact.
Lord Jesus, first of all, I would give You praise as You continue to be at the side of each family member, both the patients and their loved ones. And when that moment comes that life on this side of eternity ends, may the torch which they have raised high continue on both in their lives with You and also, that it would be passed on to those who must carry on on this side of eternity. May it become one more way to show love…one more way to impact.
And then, Lord Jesus, may we all learn something from their shining examples. May their living and their dying impact us…may it motivate us, to go and do likewise. Amen.
Sept 24th, 2020, Thurs, 6:02 pm
