Making sense of a senseless death

Yesterday we attended a large memorial service. The church where the service was held was filled to capacity. There were almost one thousand messages to Jason on a memorial site that was set up a week ago on Facebook. Jason was not famous, rich or politically connected. He didn’t accumulate a large number of friends over a long life. He wasn’t an owner of a business or from a well-connected family. So, what made him so special?

He was a 39 year old father of two that was under paid, worked hard and loved music. He was a perfectionist. He gave of himself and was the worship pastor of a local church. One other thing to know about Jason, he had fought a battle within himself for years and last week committed suicide.

We did not personally know him but through his music found great inspiration and could sense his love of the Lord. We enjoyed his music so much that we debated switching churches just because of him. The messages on Facebook show his capacity to ignite a whole segment of people across three churches and fifteen years. Jason brought people to Christ. Through his songs you could feel the love and compassion that our savior has for us but sadly Jason apparently could not feel those things. He would pour his soul into his music and sing of God’s greatness and all the while he was in the fight for his life. We had no idea of his struggles and I’m sure that’s how he wanted it. But now he has left a void not only in our Christian family but also in his earthly family.

So how do we make sense of tragedies like this? How can someone become so despondent that the only way out seems to be death? Add to that that he was a child of God and it’s even harder to imagine. Is this how a follower of Christ is rewarded? Is this any different than if he wasn’t a believer? There are some things that happen that we can never understand. A child is killed by a drunk driver, a spouse commits adultery or gets hooked on drugs. Where do we go for the answers?

Death is meaningless unless looked at through the eyes of a Christian and Christianity doesn’t make much sense without the reality of heaven. The reason we suffer, endure, love and forgive is not to bring us acclaim here on earth but to help us grow and guide others on our way to eternity. If there is no heaven how can any of this make sense? We also need to remember that we can’t do this on our own. We need guidance which comes from the Holy Spirit. It is a constant daily renewal of our minds by reading Gods word.

If nothing else maybe Jason’s death is a wakeup call to those of us still standing on this planet. Maybe Jason is screaming out to us that life is short and precious! None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Yesterday is done and all we have is today. It’s called the present because it is a gift from God to be unwrapped and opened. Every day we are to enjoy this gift and be thankful that we have another day to be with our loved ones. We become so consumed with the day to day minutia that we often don’t take the time to enjoy the blessings we are given each day. What are we willing to give up if we knew that tomorrow or next week or next month we or our spouse or son or daughter would be gone forever? Would we give up work, our home or our precious time for just one more hour or one more day with our departed? We can’t let this world consume us. Each day we all are one day closer to the end and none of us know the date of that final day.

The memorial today was amazing. The singing, the music and the tributes. His ten year old daughter sang a song to her dad. It was a celebration, for now Jason was finally free to be the man God had intended.

When put into perspective does it really matter who wins the next election or the Super Bowl or what car we drive? Think about what is really important. Does someone need to die before we tell them they are special? Does someone need to die before we stop thinking about ourselves? Pray for Jason’s family and remember Jason is probably singing the most beautiful songs he has ever sung. His demons are gone and he is at peace. Don’t weep for him but be joyful as he sits with Christ and waits for the time when he will be reunited with his family. I’m sure this is how he would want to be remembered.

Dad's Day

This weekend most of us will be thinking about our Dads. Some will send a card or make a call. Others will take Dad out to eat or golfing. Unfortunately some will not have any good thoughts about their Dad. He was either absent, abusive or just not involved. While we spend Fathers Day usually thinking about our Dads perhaps we should change our focus.

The majority of us are Dads or will be Dads in the future. Instead of focusing on the past and our Dads maybe we should focus on the future and what kind of a Dad we are or will be. What will our kids think about us on future Dad Days?

We all will leave a legacy whether we like it or not. Some will be good and some not so good. What will your legacy be? Will the kids want to spend Fathers Day with you or will they hope they don't have to see or talk to you? Will they have anything in common with you or will you be a stranger? Will their own marriages be solid because of the time you invested in yours and will they thank you for it?.

This Fathers Day, give your Dad props if you want. Take him to lunch or a game but also look at your life. Five, ten or twenty years from now what will YOUR kids think when Fathers Day comes around?