Eulogy for the Living

Eulogy literally means a "good word." So often, we wait to speak that "good word" about a person after they have died. I'm going to intentionally break that pattern in order to honor the living.

There is no greater complement than to call someone Christlike. My dad is Christlike.

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:3-7, ESV)

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (I John 3:16, ESV)

Growing up as an intellectual, I will admit that I wasn't convinced my dad was a "good Christian" because he couldn't argue deep theology or teach a Sunday School class. How wrong I was. I have come to realize that my dad demonstrates obedience to Christ as well as any of the saints of Church history. Just like Christ, my father has "emptied himself." He has counted others more significant than himself. At the heart of who Christ is, he is the condescending Savior. This humility and service, this forsaking the self for the sake of others, is how my dad is Christlike.

I could go into plenty of detail of how hard my father works, but I for the sake of space, I will simply use the adjective "very." However, it is not hard work for work sake, but it is hard work for his family's sake. I could also try to go into detail on how much my father does for himself, but nothing comes to mind. He strives for the joy of others well before himself.

Just like Paul tells the Corinthians, "Follow me as I follow Christ," I can proudly say that I strive to follow the example of my dad as he has followed the example set by Christ. My dad and Jesus have taught me that fame and fortune aren't worth a space in my life goals. They have taught me that it doesn't matter how much you know about Christ, but it's how much you are like Christ.  They have taught me that seeking my own joy is inferior to seeking the joy of others. They have taught me being a legend in this life is not about lifting our own lives up, but laying our lives down for others.

Happy Father's Day, dad.