Reminiscing 25 Years Later

As I am writing this today, I was reminiscing about things 25 years ago. My hero, my dad, passed away from leukemia after battling it for over 10 years. This was probably one of the saddest days of my life.

Let me tell you a little about my dad. He lived life to the fullest. He was brave, bold, tender and gentle. He loved Jesus with all his heart. He had his flaws, but his character and growth in Jesus transformed him.

He had a passion for men and women to come to know Jesus. That had been his work as a pastor and discipler of Jesus. He believed powerfully in the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit to change and transform the lives of men and women to become sons and daughters of God.

I share this with you because of his unwavering faith in Jesus and his unshakable faith in the soon return of Jesus. He would preach about the Second Coming. He would teach about death as sleep, and then what a great day it would be on resurrection morning!

Dad and I got to talk very seriously about things just before he passed. He wanted to make sure that I would take care of my mother, the love of his life, and that I would continue to be faithful to the calling which God had called me to: ministry. “Keep on keepin’ on” was his encouragement. He said, “Someday soon, we are going to be together with Jesus for eternity. What a great day that will be!” 

When we had finished the interment at the cemetery, someone asked me if it was hard to conduct my dad’s funeral service. I remember replying, “Yes, it is difficult to bury your father, but his was much easier than many.” I remember this person asked me, “Why?” I replied, “When someone, like my dad, walked with Jesus so much, there is always hope and encouragement. It makes a service so much easier.” 

Twenty-five years later, I can say with certainty, I look forward to the soon return of Jesus! Death is but sleep! Jesus has already conquered death and the grave. A great “gettin’ up morning” is fast approaching. You and I have hope for today and hope for tomorrow. 

Scripture encourages us, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have keys of death and of Hades’…He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 1:17-18; 22:20-21 (NASB1995).

By Richard C. Dye, Sr.

President