There are few people who have awakened my heart towards the spiritual like him- and much of what I have found myself pursuing and longing for over the past 10 years is a result of his wise words, sermons, and care for worship and communion.
Steve was also broken, and that story is a complicated one, one I have no business retelling- for I really know so little. I know I lost a pastor- and I have taken time over the years to grieve that- and often find myself still grieving that loss of a shepherd at times. But, time moves on, and eventually you lay some things to rest, and pray for the wideness in God's mercy- for you and everyone you know. We certainly need it. He was no different.
I have thought about Steve today. Released from this world that we fight so hard to stay in, because all the people we love are here, I guess. This same world that fights us back at every turn, it seems. I was just watching the news, at the tornado devastation just a 100 miles from our home. I long for a truly safe place. but there is no such thing, it seems. Not this side of heaven.
When Steve started our little church Red Mountain- he always quoted C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe"
Is - is he a man?" asked Lucy
"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion, the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie, abd make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king I tell you.
Thankful tonight, for words that live on.
2 comments :
ellie had just told me before i read this... i am sad, even just knowing him from a distance, and i know he's a great loss.
Brooke, didn't know you were touched by his ministry. We, like the rest of the RUF family, are saddened and grieving as well.
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