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Down to earthTuesday, March 2, 2010
Matthew 23:8-12
"And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them - Christ.
Just another beggar. He died in 2007 of cancer, and his three sons told story after story at his funeral. They thought he had baptized about 9000 people in his lifetime. As he lay dying Roy asked his family, "Can we all be in agreement to try to reach 20 more for Jesus?" Margaret and I were only with Roy a couple of times for a very few days. We wanted him to lead us. It seemed so natural to want that. He knew things about God and about life that I wanted him to tell me. But he didn't have a lot to say in situations like that. He smiled, he sang, he prayed, he shared stories, and I had the sense that he trusted me to find out about life from God on my own. And I know somehow he helped me be empowered to do just that. Jesus continues in Matthew 23, "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." Thank you, Lord, for giving us each other to learn from and pray with. You show us your love and wisdom through special people you have for each of us. Remind me every day that you are the one who made us all. We are all both precious and equal in your sight. |
Roy Weece, campus minister at the University of Missouri for 39 years, used to say, "You are I are both beggars. I just have this one crust of bread, and I'd like to share it with you." Roy memorized books of the Bible to prepare for trips to countries behind the Iron Curtain. He had a shock of beautiful white hair and a deep voice, and he made quite an impression.