ivanildotrindade
Two Services and A Thought
Last Sunday I preached on the brevity of life. Little did I know that just a couple of days later a dear friend of mine, John Weaver, would die suddenly in Wooster, Ohio. John’s funeral and memorial service will be this coming Sunday at Wooster Grace and I will have to miss it because it is my installation service at Grace Church, Lititz.
This turn of events and the coincidence of services have given me much more than pause. What if it was my service in Wooster and John’s here in Lititz? John was a godly man. Though a builder by trade, he could well be a pastor somewhere based on his knowledge of Scriptures and love for people. I, on the other hand, can’t build even walls made of Lego’s.
The last couple of days I have only heard (and seen) positive, God-honoring comments about John and his legacy. John touched literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of people with his gentle ways, his firm convictions and exuberant love for God’s Word. I just can’t help but think about what people would be saying and writing about me if it was my service there and his service here… Do you ever think that way? And do you think that you would be remembered as a godly person who left a legacy of love for God and compassion for people. Would people would not only you but your character and integrity also?
Yes, people miss John’s character and integrity. I also miss his generosity. John gave in so many ways. A thoughtful guy, he never missed an opportunity to bless someone, even if he did it behind the scenes.
Today I thought of Dorcas, “who was always doing good and helping the poor,” according to Acts 9. When she died suddenly, the poor widows who came to her funeral actually brought with them Dorcas’ evangelism tools — the robes and other clothing she had made and given them while she was alive (Acts 9:39).
What would people bring to my funeral? Only the funny jokes I told or a memory of a time I actually went out of my way to make sure that they were blessed? Scraps of memory from a reluctant follower or a flood of vivid reminders of an unwaivering faith in a God who delivers?
What would people bring to your funeral? On Sunday the auditorium at Wooster Grace will be filled with people who loved John and there won’t be a single one who will have any doubts where he stood in his love for God and people. I can’t think of a better memory to bring to a funeral. May it be that way for ours as well.
And sorry for the morbid tone. Death does make us melancholic, especially on the eve of a great celebration.
Ivanildo C. Trindade
ivanildotrindade 
lionjudah 8:15 am on January 5, 2013 Permalink |
Thanks, Pastor Trindade, for opening the discussion of death and dying.
How can one not contemplate the end of his life? Especially when death knocks on the door of his life. The death angel has knocked at my door a handful of times. He has also knocked at my wife’s door several times, too.
Marketing firms try to remind us to prepare for the eventuallity of our death. My sister-in-law quipes, ” None of us are going to get out of here alive!”
Then too, those of us who attend funerals find them to be dress rehearsals of out own home going–that is our own funerals.
And how can one not attend a funeral and listen to the words of remembrance and ask, “I wonder how will people sum up my life?”
More importantly, How will God sum up our lives–do we have our reservations made?
Who does not ask, will my death be sudden without farewells all around usually around a bed of infirmity? or will we need to suffer with lingering pain?
Or who does not ask, will our money last as long as we do?
There is a multitude of questions that swirl around ones mind as he winds down his pilgrimage.
I think it is important to address these questions and plan for your end.
The one thing I am sure of is, “I have done business with God”
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Harold
ivanildotrindade 11:44 am on January 5, 2013 Permalink |
Harold, you are doing just fine with the blog thing based on the 10 minute tutorial i gave u. thank you for sharing your thoughts here. your sister is right but she is not right: some of us will make it alive — 1 Thessalonians 4. Take care!