What Are You Striving For?

     What is my life to become? Whom shall I strive to be in Christ? Saved by grace indeed I am; but idling in sin is not the final destination. Let not my obligation to be in Christ, but my heart. “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed”(Romans 6:17). I have written my own eulogy for the sake of a hopeful destination, as a commitment of my life to Christ in full. Potentially as something to be surpassed, but most definitely as something to strive after. I ask you, reader, what is your life to become? Are you stuck with one foot out? What are you striving after? Is every part of you aimed towards Christ? I encourage you to write your own Eulogy this week as a reminder, or a beginning, of who you want to be in Christ. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”(Ephesians 4:1-2). The Lord calls us much much higher, may we abide. 

 

With that, my eulogy…

The Eulogy of Reid Bradley Johnson, a saint to the King,

 

     “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master”(Matthew 25:23). To the Lord goes the honor, From a blessed vessel, Reid, was the kingdom spread further. A man pure in heart, pure in intention, fleeing from all sin and distraction, eager to proliferate the name of Jesus Christ, King of all. The fruits of the spirit abounded in Reid’s creation. Gentleness served him well, and patience provided blessings abounding. One of his favorite quotes vocalizes his dedication to Christ well. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” All earthly possessions were worthless to Reid, worth all but a flurry of dust in the wind. The Lord filled his cup, and the abounding extension of joy was spread to all who touched his cloak(Matthew 14:36). Praise be to the King. 

     Unspeakable, unnatural love he had for the lost sheep. Always striving for dedication as deep as the Apostle Pauls. “For I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh”(Romans 9:3). Adventurous was his soul and his flesh. He searched the world for pockets missing the glory and goodness and honor and beauty of the Truth, of fulfillment, of Jesus. The Lord cherished Reid well, entrusting him and holding him under the wings of The Lord himself. What a stretching and inspirational life was his. The forces of evil and the imperfections of flesh challenged him from womb, all through to passing. His youth proved, unworthy are yee, bound to destruction without Christ. But how beautiful is the light in contrast to darkness. Oh how attractive the light is when shown its beauty, its power, its transformation, its love.

     Dedication was his life; continual sacrifice and death of his flesh. Daily, at the end of himself, nothing left but Christ. The armor of the Lord shielded him well. Sin and temptation having no place; as if there was no heed to their existence. If you were in need, from the Lord would he draw assistance. To the love of Christ and the life of love he would invite you. Reid worshiped the Lord through admiring the Lord’s creation on this side of eternity, by the plucking of acoustic strings, and by the appreciation of continual blessings. What are we to take away and to apply from the life of Reid? Did you see the fire in him, the love in his eyes, the lack of fear in his heart, and the exuberance of peace from his being? Well if you did, and you want a taste of that for yourself, then there is something we can take away. What is that? That is Jesus. Follow him, and you will receive the fruit you’ve so thirsted for. 

 

To the Glory of the King,       

 

Amen