Truly Living

This past week I was finishing up watching the #5 movie on my top 5 list of all time favorites, that film being the one and only Braveheart. Its been a year or so since I’ve seen it and something this time grabbed my heart once again, seeing the quest for freedom, the desire to liberate others, and the commitment to use our one and only life for something great. As William Wallace’s life is coming to a close he makes a statement to Princess Isabella, “every man dies, but not every man truly lives.” This is so true, and incredibly sad as well. How many of us will go through this life standing on the sidelines, never risking, never stepping out in faith, never defending our cause, unwilling to give it all to see the Kingdom advance?

Last month I was invited into the home of a fellow co-worker here at Willow. I had been hearing about this guy named Jeff for some time, his vision for starting the Regional’s, and his oversight of our Chapter Two fundraising campaign are two of some the top achievements and innovative thinking our church has done in the past 6 years. I pulled into his drive way in Arlington Heights with a hope to learn from him and ask questions. I sat with Jeff for a couple of hours listening to his story, one that gripped me and compelled me in a powerful way. Jeff shared with me how he had advanced quite a bit in the business world and felt God leading him to resign from his huge salary and work for free at Willow, helping us move forward as a church. I of course pushed for clarity, restating what he just said, “Jeff so your telling me that you left your huge income with a wife and kids, and a mortgage trusting God and risking for the Kingdom?” Jeff responded incredibly humbly as if it was no big deal, but that day I saw a real life William Wallace in front of me, one who was truly living. Jeff went on to say that he was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and was still in the fight, fighting each day for his life. My time with him was amazing, I learned incredible insight on church leadership, regional philosophy, team building techniques, but I also learned something that day that I’ll never forget. Each day we are faced with a decision to make whether we like it or not, that being will we truly live today? Will we fight? Will we give everything we have to see and pray that the Kingdom of God prevails?

This morning I stopped by a buddies office at work, and was told that last night Jeff went home to be with our Lord. I’ve experienced an array of emotions today, I’ve been sad, I’ve cried, I’ve been angry and also so inspired by Jeff’s life.

What will our decision be? Will we truly live?

Please pray for Jeff’s family, his wife and kids are going through a ton and can really use our prayer!

Jon