A Gospel Centered Life
A little more than 17 years has passed since I decided there was something missing from my life. I remember clearly being at Pine Haven, the camp I went to and worked at for a good portion of my life, and responding to an altar call. I spoke with my Cabin Dad about my decision and then when I returned home I spoke with my minister as well. Later that week I was baptized. Why am I thinking about this?
This past week a dear friend and minister of the Gospel passed away. A man that has had and will continue to have a great impact on the Kingdom of God, David Kester. A man that is dearly loved by many. I was reading a transcript of the Eulogy that was delivered at his funeral by another friend and was deeply moved. Not really by the words (although they were moving as well), but by the man whom the words were spoken about. It dawned on me that one of the differences between David and myself is that David truly lead a Gospel Centered Life. He understood that the Gospel isn’t something that we simply preach, it is something that we are. The Gospel isn’t something that we read and write about, it is something that we embody. Do we need to use words? Sometimes. Is the Kingdom impact even greater when we’re able to be the incarnation of the Gospel that we preach? Indeed.
How is this done? One of the things that struck me in reading my friend’s tribute to David was my memory of this man. He was one of the wisest people I’ve ever met. On the other hand, one of the funniest and most sarcastic people I’ve ever met. His embodiment of the Gospel was simply by being him. Sure, he was a pastor, a board member, a committee person, an author, but he was mostly just David. I think that I often try to compartmentalize my personalities. No, I’m not in need of medication. I’m in need of repentance and repair, however. It isn’t that I try to be someone I’m not. It isn’t even that I’m dramatically different in the different sectors of my life. I simply want to live a Gospel Centered Life. I want my life to make even half the impact that David’s had. I want my relationship with Jesus to be as personal as David’s. I think that, more than anything, is what I’ve just now realized. How can I invite people into a relationship that isn’t even that personal. Oh sure, I have a lot of personal closeness with Jesus. But thinking of the life of my friend David reminds me that I can be closer. it isn’t a challenge to see who can be closer. At the end of the day, David’s life was simply about helping people become closer to Jesus. Thank You, Dave. You’ll be missed until we meet again.
