Many particular thoughts were impressed upon my heart several weeks ago when I heard of the passing of James Lee Beall, pastor of Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. I have been deliberately slow coming to any presentation of those thoughts. The world, it seems, is filled with words: Far too many opinions, views, and judgements each different and each claiming “authoritative certainty.” I do at times become word and world weary; however, the persistence of my thoughts compels me to add a few more words to a world filled with them. I cannot make any claim of personally knowing Pastor Beall at all. I met him on three occasions; once delivering him to his motel. Based on the limited experience of three exposures, this writing cannot be about him or express a shared relationship. His passing simply triggered what I now share. Over the course of my own sixty- four year journey possessed with a somewhat “crazy faith”, one thing is abundantly clear: Apart from the mentoring relationships God brought to me I would not be who or where I am or have been placed. It does not matter how I or others define where I presently am or who I presently am; the simple truth is I would be greatly diminished had these great “men-of-mentoring” not intersected some portion of my life and times. Upon hearing of the death of Pastor Beall, it was the memory of my own mentors who suddenly came marching out of the distant past. For many days during reflective hikes through autumn woods and meadows, I welcomed the memory and contributions of these visitors to my personal path. The fellowship was not merely sweet and warm, it was uplifting and upbuilding. My faith was built and enlarged as was my attitude of worship toward God that blessed me with such significant souls. Pastors J.O. Moore, F.E. Beaudrie, L.J. Abbott, David Thompson and Jimmy L. Greer, to name a few, all passed by. With the exception of Pastor Greer these great men have “slipped the surly bonds of earth”; but they have not, nor shall they ever be, gone from me. They left a footprint on my personal path and in that footprint a part of themselves. These thoughts brought to mind the renowned king David of old, and it being written of him that he served his generation. Of all the particular details that could have been listed and catalogued as defining in his life, the sovereign wisdom of God simply brought the sum of those details together in an uncluttered expression: David served his generation. If there is revelation in those words, it must surely be that the only real value of those catalogued details of the individual life is found in this one standard: Did he/she serve a generation? Frankly, my chest swells with a certain healthy pride as I reflect upon those fathers God sent into my experience just in time to save me, shape me and direct me. That pride is rooted in this single and undeniable fact: Each of these men of strong faith and consistent faithfulness served their generation and did so with marked distinction. And until I draw my last breath I will honour them. Finally, the revelation of this great and wonderful mystery is this: In serving the generation in which they lived with distinction, they have served every generation following. The ripples of their influence that moved, and is moving, upon my soul did not become static and stagnant. That influence remains dynamic and motivates me to involve and influence others. We come into this world with a Divine blueprint. No one will be judged by another’s assignment. Although we struggle to understand, no one’s assignment is greater or lesser than anyone else’s. Pastor Beall was given his commission and not being a part of that commission, I can only conclude that he executed his calling. I do not regret not being part of his commission. To regret is to judge the sovereignty of God. Those I have named in this clutter of words (along with so many I have not named) I was part of their Divine blueprint, and the joy and rejoicing of my heart this night is that each of them executed that assignment perfectly. God bless them all as the ripples of their witness continually move outward reaching for the next generation. God bless them all indeed.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:12:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015