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Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived. I’ve seen many people die. Some are so fearful that they insist on being resuscitated, even though their body is ravaged with disease. Some spew anger on everyone close. Others stew in their bitterness and resentment. But Randy Jones was different. Randy was a friend of mine in Leesburg. A few years older than me, he was diagnosed with melanoma cancer several years ago. Even in his last days, Randy oozed with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit… love, joy, and peace. Randy walked with God. And even though his life was cut short, he died well because he lived well. He cherished the love and forgiveness of Jesus and clung to the promise of heaven.
Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived. The first century soldiers who executed criminals knew this all too well. They crucified the dregs of society and saw evil spew out of these criminals, even as they gasped their last breath. That’s why Jesus shocked them. Even as He was dying, the Fruit of the Spirit radiated through him. That’s why one of the guards watching Jesus said, “Surely this man was the Son of God.”
Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived. Randy Jones lived a humble, joy-filled life, oozing God all over people. Randy was far from perfect, but he was forgiven and grateful for it… even when he took his last breath.
What about you? As you think about Easter, what are you grateful for? There’s one word that jumps off the page at me when I think of what I’m grateful for at Easter. I’ll share it in tomorrow’s blog. In the meantime, keep blogging your thoughts…
