So here’s the bottom line:
Living the Truth is not at all about being religious…it is so much simpler than that. Christ didn’t walk around beating everyone over the head…it’s so important to remember the genuine, human nature of his life. His love and acceptance of the people that so many saw as unclean and the ultimate sacrifice he made for all of us…regardless of our shame, regardless of our past, regardless of our future.
My Pastor had so many stories and amazing illustrations through the years…they truly were incredible. But there’s one simple thing that I will always have ingrained in my heart and mind. God doesn’t ask us to come to him clean.
We don’t have to wait and get our lives all cleaned up before we come to Him…which really is a good thing considering that so many of us would never be able to stand before him if that was the case! The simple act of Accepting, Believing, Committing is all it takes. Yes, really.
I always have to laugh at those who say that Christianity is so limiting and stuffy and you don’t get to have any fun because there are so many rules. Simply put…it is Freedom. Pure simple freedom. Freedom from so many things. Sure, we are all still human and totally fallible creatures. We will fall again and again and again….and he’ll be there, waiting for us…every single time!
Faith isn’t complicated. When you allow faith to stay simple (after all, it is simply a relationship between you and God), it’s like taking a huge refreshing breath outdoors on a gorgeous sunny day. I know of no other way to describe it, but when you allow Him to just “hang out” with you, you’ll know a peace like no other.
I know that there’s so much more to it than this, but really, when you think about it, living faith every day and having a simple relationship with God is all it takes. I just wish everyone could understand the true heart of God and I wish there were more Pastor Tom’s in the world to touch and influence those very lives that need to know this truth.
The reason for this post:
Last Thursday, May 20 2010, my Pastor, one of most amazing men I have ever known, passed away. This news was so difficult in a way because it was sudden and I felt (still feel) that we lost him way too soon. When I was 12, my family began attending Pastor Tom’s church, I was so greatly influenced by him and continued to be even now, since he was again the pastor of the church my family attends.
There was always something about him, a kind and gentle demeanor…but there were so many other assurances that you felt…didn’t need to be told, you just knew…peace filtered through the room, just there like a calming breeze. You felt welcome, you felt loved. In a way I would describe it as feeling like God was always there too, just hanging out in the midst of us all, telling us He loves us.
His son Andrew and I were the same age, and grew up through Jr High and High School together. We hung out a lot because we had so many mutual friends and I am honored to know him to this day. But when we were all grouped as friends, you got to see the Dad side of Pastor Tom. He lived it people…each and every day, in a real and genuine way.
To be someone who could show the love of Christ so completely through my life is something I feel like I could only hope for, but he did it.
Although his passing is so sudden to us and we are saddened to have lost his amazing leadership and teaching, we do realize that it was no surprise to God and that He has a greater plan.
He leaves behind an amazing wife and 4 great kids (all grown + 8 grandchildren). I cannot imagine what they are going through! Andrew in particular has a difficult road ahead of him. He too is a pastor and they have been in the process of handing him the reigns for a few years now. The difficult part is, Andrew is grieving for his father and his pastor…all while an entire community (several communities in fact, so great was his ministry and the lives he touched) is grieving as well and would normally turn to him.
If you have ever had anyone so greatly influence your life…especially spiritually, you will understand how great a loss this seems to be. Pastor Tom helped me to understand who Christ really was is and that He loved loves me for who I was am regardless. Yesterday, today and forever.
I can only dream of having that kind of impact on another person…even just one.
Through the years, there have been plenty of times I have seen religion get in the way of the truth, interpreting the scriptures to it’s own benefit, cause or prejudice…instead of absolute truth. I am very blessed to have had Pastor Tom all these years in my life, viciously and adamantly protecting his people.
Today I was wondering how best to honor the life of my Pastor and I honestly believe that sharing the very essence of what I learned from him (though I will not do it any justice) would honor him the most.
Final Note: This post was born of a desire to honor a true man of God who influenced too many lives to count (honestly, I have no idea how they plan to fit us all into a church…even a large one). I spoke simply, from my heart just the basic thoughts. Tonight was not a post on theology, just a simple relationship with Christ.
I thought you wrote a very beautiful post.