BE LIKE MIKE

 

“BE LIKE MIKE”

 

Christians plant seeds and trust God with the rest. Some of the seeds we plant will fall on hard or shallow ground; some will be overwhelmed by weeds; some will blossom… but we are called to plant seeds of faith and hope as we walk through life. Some of these seeds are planted with words- with Scripture, prayer, and encouragement. Some of these seeds are planted by sharing spiritual insight and/or Biblical knowledge. But most of them are planted by men and women who share their love and faith with acts of service, love, and kindness.

 

Today, I want to lift up Mike Kelley because he planted more seeds for Christ- every day, in acts of compassion and love- than anyone else I’ve ever known. Mike Kelley was the “real deal.” He worked tirelessly to help others (without regard to status, color, and anything else) experience God’s love. Mike didn’t preach sermons, but he delivered a thousand through acts compassion and kindness! Mike didn’t attend Bible study and probably would’ve nodded off if he had. I don’t think Mike could’ve found some of the books of the Bible without looking up their page numbers… but in his life, he actually looked after the widows, welcomed strangers, fed the hungry, and did whatever he could for people in need.

 

Mike Kelley planted seeds for Christ everyday! He did more for me and Sherry than I can mention here, but he did the same for many, many others- individuals, families, and organizations (like church, Crime Fighters, and Rotary). He gave rides (to church and to other places). He repaired things that needed to be repaired. He helped people move and he often did most of the work. He built things that others wanted built. He delivered food, served food, and cleaned up… before he delivered the leftovers to others in need. He visited lonely people and greeted everyone with heartfelt enthusiasm, to let them know that God is with them. I knew Mike well for 25 years and I never heard him say or do anything that would degrade or harm anyone at all. Mike was something of a celebrity in Peoria and he received many awards and accolades. They were all richly deserved, but I think that Mike’s greater “awards” live in the hearts of those whom he loved and served!

 

Today, our focus is on our lectionary passages in Mark 4. Our focus is on scattering seeds of love and grace as we walk though life. Our focus today is on planting seeds of faith as we walk along. Some of us plant seeds by telling our stories of rebirth; some of us plant seeds by writing thoughtful books; some of us plant seeds by financing ministries that do God’s work; some of us plant seeds by providing food, clothing, and shelter to people who need to experience God’s grace; some of us plant seeds by accepting others as we find them; some of plant seeds by fighting for justice; some of us plant seeds by listening, maybe crying with, people whom Christ puts in our lives; some of us plant seeds by praying with and… for others; some of us plant seeds by forgiving others; some of us plant seeds for Christ by simply showing up or being present.

 

We’re are called to plant seeds of love, grace, and faith for Jesus, and in some ways, that’s about all we are called to do. In a sermon preached on March 10, 1522, Martin Luther preached about seeing the growth of the reform movement, saying, “I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word did everything.” Well, it seems that Luther was a seed planter too! We moved three or four times in Peoria, and Mike Kelley helped us three or four times… and he helped us in important and sacrificial ways. Mike and Linda owned a demanding business and they were committed to many other causes and needs, but… at 10, 10:30 at night, or so, when Sherry and I were sleeping, I would hear Mike’s big truck pull into our drive, and then I listened as he loaded whatever we needed removed (which was usually a lot)… and drove away!

 

Another seed, another sermon, about God’s love in action, another reminder that Christ is at work in our lives in ways big and small. It was just Mike Kelley doing what Mike Kelley always did. If you can preach like Luther, then preach like Luther. But if you have a boundless commitment to showing others- all others- that God loves them… be like Mike! Amen!