legacy

Our old church, Chapel Pointe, was hit hard with a tragedy on Wednesday.  A family was forever changed and struck at the fibers of their faith.  A wife, a mother, a friend, a mentor, a lady in her early 50s was taken from this earth to be with her Savior.  She wasn't someone on stage, she wasn't someone outspoken in the crowd, but many knew her.  Her and her husband were looked to, and both rose to the challenge, as mentors to others in marriage, parenting, and discipleship.  She went home to be with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, after suffering a heart attack late Tuesday night.  Now, her husband and their four beautiful daughters are left there with a giant hole.  Like anyone else, we ask the question... "Why?"

I don't think God minds when we tell Him we don't understand events in our lives.  I think this can be healthy if it leads us to a better understanding of who He is and what His purpose is for us here on earth.  We're reminded quickly when tragedies hit that we humans are not invincible on this planet - at any age.  We are given limited controls in life... we can choose the food we eat, the things we drink, the clothes we wear, the people we associate with, etc.  Basically, we are in control of our choices.  We are not in control of any other parameters, experiences, or outcomes that will take place in our life.  Some of our experiences others can see coming our way based on the choices we have made.  Not all choices lead to tragedy, but some do.

The greatest choice anyone can make is the choice to accept God's gift of salvation.  We are all sinners in need of a Savior.  The gift of salvation is free... it's a choice... its free to accept... but God paid a HIGH price to make it free for us.  We are told in the Bible that we are all sinners and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.  Jesus Christ willingly shed His blood on a cross to pay our penalty for sin.  When presented with this information, we come to a point in our lives where we make a choice... to believe it or not.  The debate has raged on for centuries, but the truth, this truth spelled out in the Bible, has stood strong and has been proclaimed throughout the ages in the midst of all the attacks against it.

I believe with all my heart in this truth, and I choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ to salvation.  I desire to walk in a manner worthy of God's calling for my life.  My late friend showed this same desire and cast that shadow of example behind her.   Right now, all we can look at are those shadows - the legacy - that she left here on earth.  I think this is the hope in tragedy... the hope that everyone left behind will stop and look at the choice placed right smack dab in front of them. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31 NASB) because this is the choice that matters most in life.  All other choices pale in comparison.

You will be greatly missed, Deb Harper.  May we all remember your example and strive to leave such a wonderful legacy pointing others to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  May God grant His peace that surpasses all understanding to her husband Steve and their girls Rachel, Whitney, Ashley and Caitlyn.   May God bring healing in the midst of this tradegy, quickly to the Harper's, so they can continue bringing others to Him. 


In Jesus' name, amen.