Yesterday we all said goodbye to a dear friend and a father to the faith. Jim Ritter for many of us was a spiritual father. His life challenged all of us to consider the gift and the responsibilities of following Jesus Christ as our savior and lord. What an incredible time this celebration service was. That's right, we did not have a funeral service...we had a celebration of life. The interesting thing is that it turned out to be more about Jesus' life than it did Ritter's. But then again, if we live our life right then everything we do ought to point others to focus on Jesus and not ourselves. It was quite simple yesterday we simply couldn't talk about Jim without talking about his best friend Jesus. God glorified Himself yesterday for all to see and Jim made that possible.
Don't get me wrong we have rightfully shed some tears...I readily admit that I have, as have many of you. But our tears are quickly replaced with the joy we had of knowing Jim and that challenge that his life has given to our own. I know Jim and if he was here he would want his death to help us once again find life in Christ. After all when you know Jesus, death is always followed by resurrection...death is always followed by new life. It's no wonder that I find myself a day later, after the celebration, experiencing something new in my heart. I feel closer to God. I sense a greater desire and commitment in my heart. My passion for reaching people for Jesus has grown. My life today is a witness to the fact that Jim did not die in vain, without impact, without making a difference. Ritter's life and death has shaped me and molded me even a day after we said goodbye and I know I am not the only one.
Just last night our washing machine repair man showed up to fix our washer (it was a miracle in and of itself and a story for another time). Before he left he had made a comment that led me to believe he was struggling in his life. I was fresh from the celebration that day and found my heart spurred on to ask this guy about his life. Something was telling me to pass the love of Christ onto this man...(I think Jim was nudging me even from heaven). Anyway I asked if he was married and all of a sudden the flood gates opened and "Tom" and I spent the next 40 some minutes talking in my kitchen about his life and his struggles. By the end of the night I had prayed for him and for his wife and let him know that he mattered to me and mattered to God. I am not sure what will come of it, if anything atall, but I do know he experienced the love of Christ from me.
I believe people spur us on, in their life and in their death. Ritter did that for me. I am thankful that his life didn't end in death but that he is living forever in eternity. I am thankful that in his death I continue to find new life. I pray and hope that you too can find the same. Thanks Ritter for who you were, who you are, and who you will continue to be in all of our hearts!
Blessings,
Your Dreaming Pastor
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