Yesterday, I had the high honor and privilege of attending a colleague's funeral in Lafayette. As is the usual custom at times like these in the life of the clergy, many of my brothers and sisters from around the connection gathered to say farewell to a good man (Ira Robinson) and to be with one another in a time of grieving and celebration.
When I got word of Ira's passing on to glory Sunday, I took a moment to think about whether or not my schedule would allow me to attend the service for this servant of the church. This being a big week in the life of our congregation, preparing for the conclusion of our Offer them Christ season, and finalizing preparations for the Advent season, I could very easily have made the case that I did not have time to attend. It could be rationalized by saying that I did not know Ira very well, having served with him just briefly on our District CF&A and sharing casual conversation at a couple of clergy gatherings each year.
Thinking through it further, however, I realized the question is not, "Do I have time to go?" No, the statement is, "I have nothing better to do than to go." There are always going to be a pile of things to be done on my desk and in my calendar. There are always going to be pressing matters that demand immediate attention.
However, what could be more important than taking the time to gather with my connectional family to celebrate the life of, and give thanks to God for, the life of a man who served the church for over 50 years? Why would I not take the opportunity to (hopefully) hear once again the Good News? Why would I not take the time to be reminded that through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ our Lord that death is not the final chapter of life for the Christian?
So, in the time that you are spending with this e-mail, let me encourage you to take a moment to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of someone who has influenced your faith journey. Take a moment to say a prayer of thanksgiving that, solely because of God's grace in Jesus Christ, death has no victory, no sting. And, take a moment to resolve that next time the opportunity presents itself, make time to attend someone's funeral. Not because of what that person did, but as a testimony to God's grace as shown through the life of the deceased.
For, after all, funerals, like everything else in life, are not about us or those around us, but about GOD.
See You Soon!
Lamar
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