reflections on a long week

with the passing of a friend last week i've been forced to think a lot about life and the implications of living in the kingdom. what is it that makes a life well lived? my friend zhya was a man that had much success in both the life of this world and in his spiritual walk. god took him home last tuesday, some would say it was a waste to have him leave this world so soon but i think he just got "it" and god was ready for him to be in his company. as a church staff and friends of zhya's we helped the family with much of the funeral prep and legal details. zhya was from india and the only son of two wonderful people. they had to fly to the states to retrieve him and now today or tomorrow his body will make it's final journey back to the land from which he came. it was a hard passing but if you knew zhya, he was called to the states. he loved his homeland very much, but he loved this place as well. He followed god to the US and to chicago, leaving those he loved and knew, to journey toward the unknown, only he got the fact that it was God drawing him here. he heard the call and followed. he lived and loved with the urgency of knowing that god was in control and demanded all that he had to offer. 

oh that it would be the same for us... i sometimes think that our time in Chicago is a stepping stone to "bigger" things, but i have also come to the conclusion lately that today is the only day we're called too. what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world yet loose his soul? i have a strong conviction in my heart that we've been called to the city, to one of the places where God is working, to missio dei. i pray that my life, my gifts, may be worth something to the kingdom. an offering poured out to a most worthy God, who brought me from death into life, from darkness into light. 

as i put together pictures of zhya's life this past week i saw a life that had been lived well. as we heard testimony after testimony of his love, his laughter, his amazing ability to know everyone he encountered i came to know that this man loved God and that from there his life poured out love on everyone around him. he will be sorely missed by our community and by many others as well. rest in peace friend, and save me a spot... much love.