Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through me." John 14:6
“You made the world a better place,” read one paper. “Our hero, our legend,” quoted another. On the radio, descriptive words and phrases such as “nice,” “full of energy,” and “a good person,” were being thrown around with ease. One radio personality even stated that “he gave his life for conservation” when speaking about Steve Irwin this past month.
Steve Irwin wasn’t known by too many until recent years; and it’s quite possible that many still do not even recognize his real name. Most know him as the “Crocodile Hunter.” He’s the one that would willingly go face to face with crocs, gators, poisonous snakes, and just about any other scary creature you can imagine. And because of this (along with a television show) he rapidly grew in popularity.
But this past month, Steve was tragically killed when a stingray turned on him. It’s not the way many thought he would die. Though it was not completely shocking that he would die as a direct result of the dangers he willingly faced, it was tragic nonetheless. Steve left behind a wife and two young children.
As I write this article, his funeral is still being planned. Australian Premier Peter Beattie has offered to give him a state funeral; while Prime Minister John Howard spoke kind words about Irwin. “He was a genuine… remarkable Australian individual.”
I admit that I too have been amazed by Steve Irwin. Maybe it’s just the curious boy inside me, but I’ve found myself amazed at what this man has done. I also realize that, even though many have questioned his methods, this man has made many aware of a variety of threatened creatures that live in this world alongside us.
So it’s really no wonder that I wanted to find out more about Irwin when I heard that he had tragically died. I especially wanted to know what his faith was like. So I began to search. I searched the internet and I accessed newspaper articles from around the world. I even found an obituary from a London newspaper. But not once did I find a single remark or comment that mentioned any kind of recognition of or relationship with God.
Of all the great comments made about this man – the “Crocodile Hunter” – not one thing could be found concerning his faith. No talk of God…no talk of church…no talk of faith in Christ Jesus. All that could be found was that Steve Irwin was a dedicated naturalist who gave his life for animal awareness.
I am sure that as the funeral arrangements progress and it actually takes place, more will be found out about this man who loved God’s creation. But I wonder if we will ever know whether or not he loved God Himself. And I wonder if Steve Irwin could come back for just a few minutes what he would tell us. I wonder what he knows now that he would want his wife, his daughter, and his son to know. Would it have anything to do with God’s creation, or would it have everything to do with God?
Sometimes my family and I talk about the mark that we will leave on the world. When our last hour here on earth arrives, how will people remember us? (And I hope that it has nothing to do with how I coached. J) I think it’s something we should all ask ourselves. What do we want those closest to us to remember about us? What is it that we want to stand out – especially to those who have never personally met us? And if we were to be given the same attention by the news media and press, what is it that we would want others to boldly and honestly say about us?
I hope that it has nothing to do with earthly goals, and everything to do with heavenly ones. I also pray that it has only and all to do with Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that others will say what I as your pastor get to assure each and everyone of you – that heaven belongs to you through the precious life, death, and victorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus; and because Jesus is Lord of your life, you shall certainly share in His rewards. Praise God in Christ Jesus!
With this certainty in mind, this is also where I will make a special request. October is the month in which we all have an opportunity to take part in the planning of our congregation. It’s the month when we even set aside a particular Sunday in order to make our pledges and commitments to God for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, though, Stewardship Sunday seems to get marked with a dollar sign all too often. That’s why this year I would like you to commit to doing more than just making a financial pledge on October 8th.
First, realize that no one is to be fooled into thinking that this Sunday is not about finances. It is. And it would be foolish of me to ever try to convince you otherwise. This is an important time as we plan in taking care of the many gifts that God has given us through our worship and education facilities. It is also a time to continue our financial support for those in ministry here at Beautiful Savior (our secretary, our organist, our custodians, our teachers, and any others that contribute to the work of the Church). So I ask that you please consider increasing your financial giving. How you wish to do this is between you and God. But if you are able, I encourage you to increase your financial contributions so that we may continue to move forward in our ministry to others.
Secondly, and more importantly, I would like to request that you do one other thing. I would like each of you to commit to reaching out to one person that you know who does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And if it’s someone that you’re not sure about, find out.
I would like to see each of you find one person to whom you can share the love of Christ…and commit to doing so. Whether it be through ongoing discussions, written words, acts of service, or prayer, I ask that you make a commitment to sharing Christ’s love without letting up.
But I also ask that you not forget to do one very important thing before you make your financial commitments and your commitment to reach one person with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. PRAY! Pray that the Lord would lead you to give with an open and joyful heart; pray that He would give you the means to increase your financial commitment; and pray that He would give you a boldness and a love that would make you His witness to someone else. Whatever you do, begin with whole-hearted prayer to the only One who can set our hearts Ablaze! with the love of Jesus Christ.
Though there may not be a media blitz filled with earthly praise when each of us is finally called home, we do have many opportunities such as these to leave our mark as children of God. As we plan for 2007, it is my prayer that you will prayerfully consider these requests from me as your pastor and brother in Christ. But no matter what, I want you to rejoice in the fact that great heavenly rewards already wait for you because you know the way and the truth and the life through our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.
Saved to serve together,
Pastor Kurt