Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday November 22, 2005

A friend asked me; "What kind of person do you admire most?" I admit to giving this question an in ordinate amount of thought, even saying, "Let me get back to you on this one."

Why the delay? Simple, I admire many types of people, but as I chewed on my friends questions the people I admire have a few things in common. These few shared traits are becoming uncommon in our society.

Most of the people I hold in high esteem are Christians. The ones I hold in highest esteem are those who are committed to excellence. Not that all of my heroes are super performers, but excellence is their goal. It is mine, though I acknowledge that I often fall short, but not on purpose. Most less than excellent performance is the result of inadequate preparation, often accompanied by an attitude of carelessness.

You probably are thinking "Boy, this guy wants everyone to be a Metropolitan Opera singer." Not at all, but when you perform are you at your best, and have you given it your all? I use singing or preaching as terms to get your attention, but the people committed to excellence who get my attention are those who do what they do with at least the thought of doing their thing well.

A couple in the church I pastor committed to take care of the wife's aged parents, even having the parents move into the home with them. If more aged people received the care this couple is receiving, undertakers would suffer a recession. The younger couple both work jobs and are committed up to their eyeballs with church and community responsibilities, yet I haven't heard a complaint. And now the initial euphoria is worn off, and the daily grind is well along, yet the love of Christ constrains this family now with two generations under the same roof and the spirit of giving and accepting the Lord's plan permeates the lives of both couples. To say, 'I don't know how they do it' is a major understatement. I suppose 'God's grace would say it all.

Another person whom I deeply admire is a fellow preacher. Most preachers do not really admire other clergypersons due to our envious nature. Pastor Jerry Nash preaches up the road from where I spew forth and he has about the same impact on our city as I, meaning that it is unlikely that future generations will read much about either of us. Yet, I hold this man to be several cuts above many who fancy themselves as 'great.'

Why?

Simple.

Jerry puts selflessness into tangible practice, every day of his life. Jerry and his wife, Jan, care for their daughter Debbie who has a debilitating disease that usually takes life at an early age. Debbie has outlived her life expectancy by several decades and most attribute this longevity to the tender care of Jerry and Jan. They are called upon to perform all of the duties that are needed in caring for a small child. They do it faithfully, without a word of complaint and show those of us with lesser challenges how to serve Christ with inner joy. Debbie is a case study on accepting love.

Jerry told me that he and Jan are strengthened by their love for Jesus and for Debbie.

Strange.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2005 Use with credit.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE