Your Legacy...What will you leave behind?

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality”(Romans 12: 9-13).

I have been to three funerals in my life, two of which were within the last year. One was for a 15 year old kid who died in a car accident with his older brother at the wheel, and the other, last night for an outstanding Pastor named Ed Davis. This year has been full of tragedy and sorrow for our community.

Ed Davis was an incredible man. I got the privilege to work with him a little bit when the World Vision: Step into Africa exhibit came to CSU in the Fall of 2008. Although I didn’t know Ed very well, in the brief moments I worked with him I remember a man full of life and humor. He was on a mission and extremely gracious. With his push in getting the exhibit into town, 300 children from the DRC got sponsored, and his shared vision of uniting the community was briefly achieved. This was the first time World Vision brought a Christian exhibit into a secular environment. People from all over the community waited hours to see the exhibit. Fort Collins is a very special place.

Now, going to a funeral is never an easy thing. There is so much pain and sorrow, and your empathy doesn’t even come close to the feelings that are felt by the family. Ed left his high school sweetheart of thirty some years, and three children who couldn’t have been much more than in their late twenties. His family is hurting right now, and there is nothing any of us can do to make the pain go away. They will be in all of our prayers. But boy did Ed leave quite a legacy to follow, both within his family and community.

The most consistent thing I heard about Ed was that he was an inviter. He was present and poured so much love into every person he met. His love was perfect, and he did not have a selfish bone in his body. When his children went up to speak, they said his top priorities were his family and God. He lived out this calling every single day, and gave everything of himself to love on people. His daughter even stated that her Dad’s love was so present that no unworthy man will ever be let into her life. She knows her value because her Dad acted out his love for her daily. What a memory to leave. What a gift to give to your children. The same was said about his relationship with his wife.

In the community, many people spoke of Ed’s zeal and joy for life. He was always asking about people’s families, jobs, work, etc. The difference between Ed and an ordinary man was that he actually cared. He took the time, focus, and energy to be present with everyone he came in contact with. He never got tired of doing good, and was up to every adventure in which he could be in relationship with people; even if it meant going to the DRC in the midst of a rebellion. He took advantage of life on a daily basis. Ed truly was an outstanding example as a father, husband, brother, pastor, and friend.

My hope in all of this is to recognize how valuable daily life is. How being present can change a person’s life and impact more people than you know. Vulnerability and giving everything of yourself to love a person is a good thing, even though society teaches you to live for yourself. People want to be loved, they want people to REALLY listen, and they want to know they are treasured. You can’t truly love someone without being vulnerable. They don’t exist without each other. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

I can only hope to be half the person that Ed was. He leaves some large shoes to fill, but I believe that we will harvest the seeds he has sown in this community; the prophetic words that were left behind after his death. It is our job to contribute to the well being of every individual we meet, and not just when it’s easy or convenient.  We are being called to love, one day at a time. We never know what day may be our last.

In our last days, let’s hear our master say, “well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).