Dear Family,

I just had a close friend die this past Sunday.  In my mind he was a real man of God, and what I would consider, a modern day hero.  He was the person who became the leader of our youth at the first church we launched in Texas.  You see, William had a heart for Jesus and a passion for youth.  He had a strong faith, just the right gifts and talents, a great personality, and the morals and values that we all wanted our kids to have in their lives.  Plus, he wasn’t just a youth leader.  He was a foundational piece of the puzzle, if you will, for that church for 30 years.  And even though he is with the Lord in a brand new way, his influence lives on in the youth he has affected over the years, as well as in their children, etc.

It reminds me of Hebrews 11 & 12.  The list in Heb. 11 is about the faith of those who have gone before us.  Then in Hebrews 12:1 we have the word, “Therefore.”  In other words, because of the faith, influence, and the lives those faithful ones have led, we are encouraged to, “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

You see, we just aren’t supposed to live our lives, die, and that’s it.  Rather, as we live for Jesus we are to invest our lives; our gifts, talents, and passion, into the lives of others.  Life is not all about our jobs or the things we are able to accumulate.  Life is all about living for Jesus and investing in others.

A Pastor I’m familiar with has quoted a passage in Acts as his life verse: “… After David had served his generation according to the will of God, he died….” (NLT)  That’s what William did, and that’s what we are to be about, serving those in our generation and doing what we can to influence, help, and motivate others to live for Jesus. 

Yes, William is not physically living in our midst any longer.  But no, he is not “gone” because his faith and life will continue to “live among us” and influence many, many people.  He lived his life for Jesus and this generation, and on Sunday he was met by the Lord who gave him the crown of life.

God will use you; your gifts and talents, personality and passion, to make a difference in the lives of those you influence.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in all of us and motivate us to do everything we can to invest ourselves into the lives of others!  It will make a kingdom difference!

In His love and joy,