Our testimony is never safe until we get home. Someone on social media asked followers to mention the names of spiritual heroes who finished well in ministry. Billy Graham’s name made the list, along with Eugene Peterson. Then there were a lot of names I had never heard. Sadly, we often, only hear of many high-profile Christians who did not end well.
In ancient Israel, the Lord took the spiritual and political leaders to task. The preachers didn’t preach the truth, the politicians didn’t practice it and the people didn’t live it. Sin, it turns out, spreads like a virus. God started looking for one person to stand in the gap on behalf of the land so he would not have to destroy it. There were none righteous, no not one.
In our day, too, we confuse charisma with character. Talent sometimes trumps truth in our world. This has not served us well. Who stands in the gap? In answer to the question, I thought about the pastors who have preceded me at Tallowood. Lester Collins finished well. Russell Dilday and Daniel Vestal have stood strong for the Lord for a lifetime. But we must not forget faithful servants like Clois Smith, Tom Mosely, Susan Womack, Carol Kleckner, Randy Kilpatrick, Larry Heslip, Eddy Hallock, Larry Bertrand, and Jerome Smith. You know the names of others. All of these are finishing so well. We remember Al Pessarra and Ruby Homod who finished well.
God told Ezekiel that one righteous life could make a huge difference. All have sinned. We may regret mistakes along the way. But starting today, we can commit ourselves to finishing well. You and I can stand in the gap, praying for our country, our church, and our families. When God looks for one to stand in the gap, will it be you? Even if nobody knows else knows your name, God does. Stand for God!
