4 things to consider when grieving the death of your spiritual mentor

The pastor, author and broadcaster entered his eternal home a few days ago.

Perhaps you supported In Touch Ministries or worshiped at First Baptist Church of Atlanta or considered it your spiritual shepherd. It makes sense if his passing affects you.

I can understand. Although I don't know Dr. Stanley or his ministry, my own spiritual mentor also passed to heaven earlier this year. Dr. Jack Hayford, founder of King's University and Church on the Way, and a prolific songwriter who also composed 500 songs, including Majesty, died in January.

The death of Pastor Jack Hayford and now Dr Stanley has prompted a timely question. What do we do after the death of someone we have nourished spiritually from?

Whether you are grieving the loss of these godly men or another spiritual giant, here are some thoughts to consider.

Of all the messages your late spiritual mentor taught, is there one topic or theme that is closest to your heart? Did his life exemplify a notable aspect of the Word that transformed you? So live this message.

I'll give you an example. Most of my core Christian beliefs came directly from Pastor Jack. But one of the most impactful lessons I learned from him was about his regular prayer campaigns for Los Angeles. He taught, “It is impossible to hate those you pray for. »

Hearing this over and over - and carving my teeth for intercession in prayer circles, which is what we used to do during Sunday services - sparked in me a love for prayer andLA.

The fact that I always intercede for my city, my nation and the world on a daily basis is testimony to this

Pastor Jack's ministry and his persistent emphasis on prayer.

Paul used this phrase in his second letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:2) to describe his desire for them to remain faithful to Christ. I use the term differently here, so I hope he forgives me for redirecting his sentence.

Whenever a saint, that is, a believer in Christ, dies, I find myself feeling divine jealousy. I would also like to be in heaven.

(By the way, here's another lesson I learned from Pastor Jack: that the New Testament, like Acts 26:10 and 1 Corinthians 1:2, refers to Christians as saints.)

At this time, Dr. Stanley and Pastor Jack are reveling in the presence of the Lord, no doubt hearing Him announce, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). I wonder if the angels are introducing them into their due rewards as we speak. After all, rewards await the faithful (Isaiah 40:10, Matthew 10:41-42, Mark 9:41, Revelation 22:12).

Enjoying the glory of God forever, interacting directly with the Lover of our soul, is far more appealing than hanging around in this sin-encrusted world (Philippians 1:21). Even the best vacation destinations on the planet can't compete with the joys of paradise.

However, let's be clear. I don't want to be in heaven because I'm suicidal. By the grace of God, I intend to fulfill his missions for me rather than leave the earth prematurely.

If you resonate with this intention but also feel even the slightest twinge of wanting to move to heaven, there is a way to leverage it.

We can use this divine jealousy to motivate us to run a faithful race.

To the finish line.

Unfortunately, not everyone who started out as a Christian lives on. I can recite names of famous Christians who, halfway through their walk of faith, have given up on the path and, as far as I know, are still detached from the one true God.

That does not mean dozens of other people whose stories may be unknown to us but whose faith, likewise, has dissolved.

Let's not stare at them. Let's focus instead on successful finishers like Drs. Stanley and Hayford and also, the apostle Paul.

Towards the conclusion of his earthly journey, the latter remarked, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now is reserved for me the crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will bestow on me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all who...