Jesus says we, all of us who bear his name, are salt and light in the world we live in. We were gifted to see abundant truth of that statement just two days ago. It was the memorial service for a 31-year-old man tragically killed in a car crash two days before Thanksgiving and just 2 days shy of 2 months married. In family, with friends, at church, at work, in sports with kindergartners, youth and teens, he consistently lived with selflessness and generosity, quietly exemplifying Kingdom living (as Jesus taught in Matthew 5). All the testimonies were overladen with gratitude for that example. Then, when his young widow took the podium, after composing herself after her first look at the crowd before her, she, like many others before her, said that her husband really disliked being the center of attention and that, had he had the choice, he would want there to be not a lot about him but a clear message of God’s love for each and every one in attendance. So, she spent no more time talking about her loss but went straight to a clear and passionate witness for the love of God. And do you know what stood out most to me there in that sanctuary, where such a short time before this young couple had been married? It was the undercurrent of – yes, Joy! There were tears of grief, but not a trace of abandonment!
This young guy was certainly joy-secure! He was solidly in love with Jesus, knowing that Jesus was solidly in love with him. He was only 31, a life with so much ahead. Or so he and everyone around him thought or hoped in the case of his bride.
We were challenged by the lilt in the atmosphere in that room, or was it salt we were tasting in the air? This was a young man who was no dull tool, or gloomy Gus. He loved life and living. He loved to joke around and laugh at zany things (the slideshow presentation bore that out!) You know, in that I think he was very much like Jesus. We have many examples of Jesus enjoying life with his disciples and family and friends, so much so he was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. Joy? Oh yeah. Jesus was joy personified. Not bad footsteps to follow in 2025. PD
