Five years ago, a stranger walked into my office to talk about a faith journey. He had just undergone surgery for kidney cancer... and when the anesthesia wore off, he discovered that he had been "born anew." They hadn't cured his cancer, but when he was in the recovery room, he made an iron-clad commitment to live for God. He had always been a "nice guy." Everyone knew that, but when he came out of surgery he had decided to be a Christian. He had decided to embrace Christ as his Savior, and he was determined to live as if Christ was also his Lord... which is where we came in. He needed a place to live out his faith and so... he returned to the church where he and his wife had been married a few years before. Neither he nor his wife were particularly "churchy," and neither one of them had a denomination in mind... but they (he more than her) wanted to start a Christian journey. They joined our church in time, giving our leadership board a powerful testimony of faith, and they threw themselves into church work, Christian service, and Christian music. He helped us improve and maintain our property. She put together huge events like our annual rummage sale and served on our leadership board, and her mother (although she never joined the church) began to bake cakes and cookies for our fellowship hour and other events. They added a lot to our church... but
His cancer had metastasized, his kidney function was badly compromised, and he picked up a life-threatening infection. Over time his health worsened and he left his longtime job as a car salesman. His wife resigned from her leadership positions at church and began to work more and more from home. Then... his remaining kidney failed and he began dialysis, but through it all... he remained faithful and hopeful. Nothing could wipe the smile from his face or the praise from his lips! Indeed, he became an evangelist through FB and continually proclaimed God's grace and steadfast love. He had already led his wife and several other members of his own family to the Lord... but he wanted the whole world that God is good. Day after day he lifted his voice in praise, and he never ever... gave up. He never quit...but in the end, he accepted his Father's will. He had become much weaker and was beginning to fall. To make matters worse, he needed additional surgery that would probably not work and which he would probably not survive. He could see that his time had arrived, and he knew it was time to go home. So, he did. Even as he had decided to live with faith, he decided to die with faith... and he never wavered from either decision.
He set his face toward heaven last Friday... and his family and friends began to visit Saturday. As always, he greeted each one with smile and engaging words... as his 40 year-old wife held his hand. I told him that he had strengthened my own faith and left a huge imprint on our church. His sincerity was unquestionable. He trust was undeniable...and his commitment to live out his faith was unmistakable. Through all the struggles, he was at peace... and his wife was always strong! She said that if she started to cry, she would never stop- so she didn't cry. She stayed the course... as he quietly departed. Last night I delivered a copy of Jase Robertson's new book to them because they share my wife's love for the Robertsons... and as I left the hospital there was a rainbow as big as the sky, reminding me of God's giant "yes" to humanity and also that Jeff's decision to "let go and let God" was indeed a "Good Call," which is the title of Robertson's book.
This morning, just before 7am, Kelly called and told us that Jeff had died, and I went to the hospital to join the family in their grieving, to offer a little support, and to say a prayer or two. There were enough tears to go around... but the room was also filled with faith. At last, they carried his body away and we all went our way as well. We will gather again this Saturday for a Celebration of Life. But for the moment, Jeff is free to dance and Kelly is free to cry.
Jeff Arduser, you brought many people to the Lord, you set an example of what it means to be a "Christian," you kept the faith, you fought the good fight, and you even fought to keep me as your pastor. You shared the old, old story, you lived out your faith, and you died with grace, reaching out ... as if Jesus was beckoning to you! No one could have possibly done more, Jeff! Goodbye sounds so final... so I will simply say "Leheitraot," which means something like, "See you later!"
No comments:
Post a Comment