Pastors Edge

On the day after Christmas, like most of you I had not burrowed out from under bows, wrapping paper, gift boxes, and clothes (LOTS OF CLOTHES) to discover that the world is pretty much the same as it was on Christmas, the most wonderful day of the year (at least to children and consumers). Pretty much…but not quite because today at 7:50 EST my friend Joe, age 53, received his final and best Christmas gift ever. He got an all expenses paid first class trip to Heaven. Most of you have no clue who Joe was but you will when you make your own trip to Heaven (assuming that is your final destination).

I first met Joe in the mid 90’s when he struggled on canes to the front of my church to surrender his life to Christ.  He was the typical looking Italian—strong facial features, jet black hair with a mustache to match. He looked like he might be hiding a tommy gun beneath his pin stripe suit and I assumed he could cook some mean Italian cuisine.  When I went back to the area where we met and spoke with those making spiritual decisions I  immediately went to Joe for some unknown reason. “Joe, God has something great in store for you,” I said. The shock on his face was palpable for was Joe not only beginning his journey with God, but he been on a journey struggling with a brain tumor that would never go away. He had long since given up on any meaningful fruit coming from his life.To my surprise, Joe had a smile that would light up your heart in spite of a debilitating physical condition that would break it.

Not long after his conversion, I felt God leading me to invite Joe to become a part of our staff. He would often say that I took a chance on him when no one else would. Looking back now I realize that I really took no chance at all. In fact, it was a no-brainer that made me look like a brilliant judge of talent!

Joe added to our staff a red-hot love for Jesus Christ and an equally sizzling passion for unchurched people that was inspiring. I will always remember Joe telling of the time he literally crawled up some stairs in a home to share the good news with another person. With Joe it was always about Jesus and people and remained that way until the end.

I saw Joe for the last time several weeks ago. I was told he might be in his final stages and wanted to make sure that I saw him one last time.  When I walked in I was told to be prepared as he was drifting in and out of consciousness. However, when I came in and spoke he immediately rallied, opened his eyes, and we spent some precious minutes together.  Trying to minister to him, I would start quoting various scriptures and he would quickly finish them for me. Typically Joe, he wound up ministering to me.

I made two requests of Joe before I prayed and left. First, I asked him to tell Jesus how much I loved Him since He would be the first one to see our Savior. Then, I asked him to look up my dad and tell him the same thing and tell him that I couldn't wait to see him again. He did that on the morning of December 26 after conquering his last enemy and going to be with the One whose birthday the world celebrated the day before. He was far more than an average Joe. He was so full of Jesus and so full of joy that he left this world having impacted countless lives, including my own.

Joe reminds me--and I want to remind you--as we close out an old year and ring in a new one that we really should make every day count. This year, you'll meet "Joes" in your ministries that no one else believes in. Believe in those people and challange them to do great things. People in your church will astound you with their gospel fervor. Partner with these people and help them make a difference. Let's make every day better for those we meet for we never know which day will be our last. Joe reminds me that average people become astounding people in Christ. Thanks to the baby born over 2,000 years ago no Joe ever has to be average—this one certainly wasn’t.