James 4:13-14 (NLT)
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
Yesterday, all was quiet.
Today… On celebrating the life of our friend Jamie, many personal memories have flooded my mind. Among those are our time together in small group. We have been combing through the Crazy Love book (mush like we do with the devotions). This past Sunday, we discussed the second stanza, titled “you might not finish the chapter.” When I asked the group what stuck out to them the most in their weekly reading, Jamie shared the story about Stan. Stan had given the eulogy speech for a friend in which he shared not only the Gospel of Jesus but the fact that all of us have a time to go. Stan concluded his speech by asking, “Are you ready?” After returning to his seat, Stan crumpled over dead. This story had resonated with Jamie. And it does with me now also.
With the passionate but peaceful joy of a wise sage, Jamie went on to relate with words what we had seen in his actions over the last year. That GOD, through the power of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart, had radically changed another broken human being. He expressed he had a peace that surpassed all understanding. That he absolutely loved nothing more than grabbing a cup of coffee and pouring hours into conversations with GOD over the Bible and other devotions. How he savored the thought of coming to Refuge to worship and mingle with his friends. How everyone- from the pastor to the musicians to the servants to the pew sitters had been the hands and feet of Jesus. With every eye in the room glued on him, the unforced rhythms of grace pouring from within were contagious. Through his transparency, his music, and his discipleship, Jamie transformed from Christ follower to a disciple. And not only does heaven applaud but we celebrate with him in praising GOD.
Yes, life will go on…but we will never forget you, Jamie.
Now, in the immortal words of our departed friend, “Rock on!”
