Simple standards, a life to celebrate, an example to remember
By Mark A. Taylor
When we see even the basic attributes of Christianity lived out among us, we always notice. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet at his last supper with them, and then charged them to do the same for others. But too often we see Christians claiming privilege or position instead of stopping or stooping to serve. After that supper, Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” But love demonstrated today without thought of pride or profit always gets our attention, because such selfless love too often is in short supply.
But not missing altogether. All of us know examples of loving service in the spirit of Christ. And when such a person passes, we do well not only to grieve, but also to honor its impact.
Impact honored
Sam and I posed at my retirement banquet, June 2017.
This is what happened at the memorial service celebrating the life of Sam E. Stone, May 27 in Bright, Indiana. Sam, best known for his 25-year service as editor of Christian Standard, died January 25. Those who shared memories of him in May mentioned the several positions he had held in a lifetime of ministry. But most of their words were examples of his person-to-person influence.
His son Dave said, “Many thought of him as a leader; Jeff and I thought of him as a servant.”
He shared a quote from his dad that ought to be framed in every pastor’s office: “Much of ministry consists of doing what needs to be done when you don’t feel like it.” (Come to think of it, that’s not bad for any Christian to remember, however and wherever he finds himself serving.)
Dave spoke of a 2011 article in which Sam wrote how he wanted to be remembered. “I hope when I die people can say, ‘He tried to speak the truth in love.’” In fact, “Speak the Truth in Love” was the theme for Sam’s sermon at the 1981 North American Christian Convention. His son Jeff remarked in May, “No theme was better suited to a speaker than that one.”
Uncomplicated standards
Stories about Sam show how he simply followed biblical principles: serve, stand for truth but always with love. I’m struck by how these uncomplicated standards can transform every interaction and penetrate any problem.
Phillip Yancey told his audience at a Christian writers conference that the writer’s first duty is to serve his readers. Not impress them, not even convince them, but consider first their perspectives and predicaments and problems and offer words to help them find their way. As a person who tries to write, I’m challenged by his statement. At the same time, I think about the flurry of written words glutting every social media platform. And I wonder, How would a goal to serve transform every Christian’s decision about posting on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram?
Dean Collins wrote this week that the racial divide in America has not yet been fully bridged. “While there is so much to celebrate about America and her greatness,” he wrote, “one of the topics we have ignored more than changed is our attitudes, our ignorance, and our actions when it comes to matters of racial justice.” He added, “The problem of race will never be solved by politicians. And it won’t actually be changed by laws. The problem of race is a problem of the heart.”
The problem of race is a problem of the heart.
There you have it: Love. Serve. What would happen in this country if every white Christian made it their goal to demonstrate love toward people of color and look for ways to serve them?
And what would happen if every church-going governor and law maker thought first of meeting needs among their constituents instead of working to guarantee their own re-election? The possibilities are more than we can fathom.
The first change might be in how we talk to and about each other. Imagine liberals and conservatives, reds and blues, Christians and atheists regularly engaged in calm, kind discourse about thorny problems. What would change if difficult discussions were characterized by loving regard instead of insulting disdain between opponents?
What I can do
That may seem impossible in our age of polarized politics. But, although I may never have a national platform or find myself quoted on the evening news, I can have some influence.
I can look at the person different than me with brotherly love instead of selfish suspicion.
I can stand for what I believe while seeking to understand why someone close to me sees the issue differently. And I can acknowledge the influences driving them to their position.
Although I may never have a national platform or find myself quoted on the evening news,
I can have some influence.
I can view my daily duties not as drudgery but as the opportunity to serve Jesus, whether I’m washing dishes, balancing budgets, grading papers, or supervising employees.
I can serve. I can love. So easy to say, so challenging to accomplish. So I’ll add one more goal for my day. I can pray. To follow the example of men like Sam Stone. To live more like the Son of Man, Jesus, who challenges, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Hands photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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