Short Stories

Eulogy

by Stephen Wong
10/11/21
Not For Sale
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In a small country church, a small group of people gathered together. Today was like any other ordinary Sunday, except for one thing. Harry, the pastor, slowly walked up to the pew, a sheet of notes in one hand.

“Today, we remember the passing of our dear brother, John…”

There were no family members present. John had never married. There were no special accolades, titles or awards to remember him by. He had never seen his name in shining lights. He had worked as a cleaner for his entire life.

Although John didn’t have many friends, he had certainly been well-loved in the church. Harry could recall countless times when he had cooked meals for the congregation or volunteered to clean the building. Tracy was grateful for all the times that John had visited her and prayed with her when she had been sick in hospital. Carl remembered how he had started driving him to church following his car accident. Sally could still recall John’s warm welcome to her when she first walked into the church years ago as a nonbeliever. He was one of the reasons why she eventually gave her life to Christ. In fact, others in the local community had also been blessed by John’s willingness to always help a neighbour in need.   

Across on the other side of the world, Marta is regularly saving lives through her work as a doctor. When she is not working, she also helps lead a youth group at her local church. Through John’s faithful charity donations in the past, Marta was one of many children who had been given the opportunity to attend a newly established Christian school and learn about Jesus. Now Marta is financially supporting other children in her local community, giving them the same educational opportunities that she received.

Many missionaries around the world can testify to how John encouraged them in their faith. Not only did he financially support several missionary families throughout his lifetime, but he would regularly send letters too; reminding them that he was praying for them and encouraging them to persevere in their ministry. Jim and Tracy in East Africa remember how a kind message from John kept them from giving up countless times. Sue and Paul in Europe remember how comforting it was, every time they received a written prayer or Bible verse from him.

Indeed, much more could also be told about the fruit from John’s prayer life. Day in and day out, he had been constant in prayer, and God had answered his prayers in mighty ways. Through his commitment to pray at least three times a day, broken families and marriages were restored, new gospel workers were raised up, churches were strengthened and grew in numbers, Christian leaders were empowered to resist temptation, those who were sick or experiencing grief found healing, spiritual barriers to the gospel were broken and countless people found salvation in Christ. None of these people knew about all the time that John had spent struggling in prayer for them.

Piano music filled the room as a group of church members carried out the coffin. Soon John would be buried in a cemetery across the road. Everyone would return home and carry on with the rest of their day. Life would go on.

Although John had never been wealthy, he had been faithful with what little he had. Although this man of God had never been famous, he had found true love in knowing Jesus and had joyfully shared this love with others. Although he could never boast of any great achievements, his obedience to God had left a lasting impact in the lives of many. John had lived a full and meaningful life, and now he would receive his eternal reward.