When you hit your 80’s, abilities decline, current accomodations require more attention, and life just gets harder. One of our lot, from our block, moved this week. To an apartment. No more upkeep of icy driveways, or weedy lawns, or house exteriors.
A welcome day? Time may judge, but prudence says . . .
I’ve returned to a number of old friends these last few weeks. Not that I sought them, but they have come to my attention and dialogue as I’ve updated people on my surgery and our activities. Just today a friend from Grade 9/10 days (spent in Unionville, Ontario) emailed me – he’s thinking about knee surgery.
I’ve been going through the terms of time in my life. Friends have died and their memories sting my complacent life. Others have affected a corner of their own globe — a local place where they have brought God’s light to bear and nothing more is needed to create a legacy. Others still struggle with life, and not light, issues. Church consultants, housewives, denominational leaders, musicians — all walks of life.
If I could change the world, would it be to be famous, or to be powerful, or even to hear at my funeral the eulogy reflecting on my greatness?
NO.
As I’ve thought this last while — I’m inclined to want to change the world because God knows there is a change that is needed. And so in my life cycle right now (as at other imes with greater and lesser surges) I ask that question — "In my sphere, where is change needed for God’s sake?" And then a second question — "God, for your sake, what is my role in this change?"
Pains and aches quickly erase
The life one desires to fashion
But in recovery, there is space
A place where life finds newness
There I waken to see
God in patience waiting.
For some of you, this is a "who’s that?" statement.
For us old types, and some who follow the evolution of Christian Rock, Larry was one of the founders. Wikipedia has already been updated to reflect his death, you can check it for a biography and other info.
On his website there is a letter by his brother regarding his passing, Sunday, February 24th at 2:45 in the morning. The following are some excerpts from a letter he dictated to his friends and supporters the day before he died.
I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home. . . . . . I’d like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.
Goodbye, farewell, we’ll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.
Larry
Personally, I have memories of Larry Norman as the rebel who loved God and used his generation’s music to bring people to God. Would I, or you, live like him? Probably not. We are each God’s own precious gift, gifted for our sphere. I don’t think I’m one who listened a lot to Larry, but I did hear his heart and his passion in his music — always for Jesus — and I still carry that burden in my soul today.