I don't really have five things today. But I do have one.
It's been a rough week for our community. If you're not from Topeka or have access to Facebook, Twitter, etc. from a variety of people in Topeka, you likely don't know that a recent high school graduate was killed in a hit-and-run accident. I knew her, a little. I knew her sister a little more. For the most part, though, I was little more than a passing acquaintance to the young lady and her family. She was anything but that to the people who met her. She was truly one of those singular individuals whose passing makes people shake their heads and say, "Only the good die young." That really isn't true, but a beautiful young woman did lose her life a week ago today.
There are many things that make the situation difficult. There is her age. She was so young, just graduated from high school a week before her death. There was the young woman herself, a beautiful, vibrant, lovely girl by all accounts who had so much to give and such a desire to do so. Then there is her death, so sudden and so tragic. The young man that hit her has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and a bevy of other things. Little is known by the public about the circumstances surrounding what happened, and for her family's sake I'm very grateful. For the young woman's sake, I am grateful. I would much rather remember her for the way she lived than the way she died.
Listening to the memorials, reading the thoughts posted by friends and family on Facebook, remembering what I did know about her, she inspires me. She leaves behind the legacy that I would hope to leave when I die, at any age. The things that are repeatedly said about her highlight two very prominent traits: she loved God and she loved people, wholeheartedly and with abandon. The question is always there, what would she have been, what would she had done if she had lived? But the obvious answer is before us: in her death, she has left an incredible witness. Not just of a life well-lived, but a faith well-lived as well. People are asking themselves if she would have known what an effect she had, if they would leave such a legacy behind them. Her legacy is clearly that she was HIS. Jesus was the main theme and focus of her funeral as it was in her life. An incredibly beautiful thing: the gospel was preached to more than 1,400 people at her funeral.
I have seen a few people take up a "rallying cry" of WWBW on facebook: basically asking the question of what she would have wanted. I think it's good and right to be inspired by her life and her character to better things, to a better and more sincere faith. But if her faith was as sincere as I think it was, I doubt she would have wanted that kind of credit. The reason she was such a beautiful young lady was because of her faith and trust and focus on Jesus. I don't know her well enough to say what she would have wanted, but I know if it were me, I'd say I want you to not look so much at me, as to look at Jesus. Let me a sign post pointing His way. Look only to me so that your attention can be drawn to Him. That is, should be the ultimate goal, should it not? To bring glory to Him.
Her testimony has reminded me of the kind of testimony I want to have. It points out a few things, painfully, to me that need improvement and prayer. I don't know, but I highly doubt, that my death would meet such a reception or such an outpouring of love and respect. There are a few other reasons for this than just my own deficiencies: I have never been and never will be quite so outgoing or so popular. But I don't think you have to be to leave a lasting and edifying impression. That is simply my desire: that I might leave such an edifying impression on those I touch, and that more than anything they would see Jesus mirrored in me.
To God be the glory.
I think I'm going to post that on my mirror.
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