I went to Rolly Richert's memorial services in Detroit on February 15th. He was only 63, was recovering from his cancers and showed up in Atlanta three months ago to help produce the Youth Specialties Convention. Last month he almost went with his grandkids to Disney World. As we stood at his graveside, several of us agreed that it seemed surreal — too young for his vibrant ministry to be finished, in our humble opinions. It was stunning to realize we'd never see Rolly again this side of heaven — a gripping reminder of the treasure he was and how little control we have over our future.
How are we supposed to respond when a fellow-soldier in youth ministry is taken from us? Just shake it off, be glad it wasn't us and keep going? It's hard to know what to do with our grief, anger and sadness when someone dies that we love. But it's good to take time to process a little. Eccl. 7:2 says, "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart."
At the end of Rolly's memorial service, our friend Byron Emmert closed with a daily devotional by Henri Nouwen, released on the day Rolly died. Ironically, it was entitled, "Dying Well." Here's an excerpt:
"We will all die one day. That is one of the few things we can be sure of. But will we die well? That is less certain. Dying well means dying for others, making our lives fruitful for those we leave behind. The big question, therefore, is not 'What can I still do in the years I have left to live?' but 'how can I prepare myself for my death so that my life can continue to bear fruit in the generations that will follow me?'"
Food for thought, no matter how old we are. It's a challenge that will take a lifetime of preparation — and since none of us know how long that will be, it would be wise for all of us to take this into account as we live each day.
"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is." (Psalm 39:4 NLT)