Legacy of Living for Jesus
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“Respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
I attended the funeral service for a beautiful servant of Jesus this past week, Mary. We were distant cousins and her son, Bill, and I always claimed our cousinship no matter how distant it was. All Clingers are related somehow, and I am related in some way to at least half the county. Mary was ninety-seven years old and because of her son, Tom, she was able to always live at home on the farm except for the last days in the hospital.
Her two sons and a granddaughter shared about her and her legacy, and the first description was her love for Jesus. Mary was a woman of strong faith who always made sure Jesus was in every conversation. She had a strong work ethic and a woman of deep compassion and care. She was a nurse by profession and her care for others extended into every aspect of her life.
I have known Mary my entire life. Her husband, Paul, who proceeded her to heaven, was a man who loved Jesus in every aspect of his being. His smile radiated the love of Jesus and when he shared from the pulpit as a lay speaker, his message flowed from the Scripture right into your heart. Our kinship deepened at the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church when Paul was asked many times if he was my dad. He then claimed to be my “Conference Dad” which was an honor and privilege for me.
As Mary’s granddaughter shared about her grandmother, I was reminded of the influence of my own grandmother. Yes, for both of us, our faith had its foundation in our grandmothers. But she went on to talk about how her grandmother is alive in her daily life. She loves to garden like her. When she empties a plastic container, she hears her grandma saying, “You need to save that for leftovers.” Her grandmother has influenced her daily living and she does things because of her.
This made me ponder, how have I been influenced by others and how am I influencing those who come after me? For Mary, it was a priority to share Jesus in every conversation. Mary taught the Bible in classes at Church and was part of the Gideon organization that gives Bible away around the world. The Word of God influenced Mary, and she influenced others because the Word of God was living in her.
As Christians, we are called to tell others about Jesus and to read the Word of God so that we grow in God’s love and grace. Vince Gill sings a song – “Tell Me One More Time About Jesus” –
“Tell me one more time about Jesus, all about forgiveness and grace. Tell me one more time about Jesus, all about my Savior’s face.”
When we go through loss and grief, change and trauma, and different seasons of life, I believe we need someone to tell us “One more time about Jesus” because the hurt and pain of our situation brings fog and cloudiness to our mind. We have a foundation, and we need to be reminded that God is still God. God is still faithful even when life has changed. Even when we do not feel His presence. God never changes even when we are angry at what God has allowed into our lives.
It was into these moments the compassionate care of Mary spoke, boldly and without fear, that Jesus was the answer – “The way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6). Sometimes, we are afraid we might offend someone, but Jesus is the Answer to every question and every need. Speak the name of Jesus sincerely, genuinely, and with love and compassion.
“I just want to speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind. Cause I know there is peace within Your presence. I speak Jesus. I just want to speak the name of Jesus over fear and all anxiety. To every soul held captive by depression, I speak Jesus. Cause Your name is power. Your name is healing. Your name is life.” (Song – “I Speak Jesus”)
I am grateful for those who have come before me whose legacy is their living faith in Jesus that continues to live in me. My hope and prayer is to continue sharing Jesus and passing on this legacy of faith in Jesus. To keep speaking Jesus in conversations, writings, and daily life.
“Well done, good and faithful servant, Mary.”
Elaine J. Sturtz
Check out my past blogs and newspaper columns and books on my website.
