Suddenly it happened;
in a moment it was over. I am reminded again today how fragile life is and just how short a life time can be. None of us knows when or where God will call us home. It is just good those of us who believe, that Jesus came so that our sins might be forgiven, know there will one day be a home-coming for us. You see, today I lost a younger friend to a sudden and massive heart attack.
I remember meeting Will for the first time. He was one of about 20 business men being introduced to the Gideon ministry, through our new member plan. Will was the guy whose contagious laugher made you want to laugh along with him. He was the guy who when given the challenge, joyfully committed to whatever God’s plan was in his life. Unlike many of the other members who joined the ministry that evening, Will and his wife June joined together; inseparable right to the end.
Recently both Will and I were called to take offices within the Gideon ministry beyond our local camp; Will as an Area Director and I as a Regional Program Leader. Because of the economy and some fears of our families (that we might be getting over committed), I know we spent many hours in prayerful consideration before committing to taking these offices within the ministry. As with all of the roles he felt called to take, Will entered this new role with great excitement and joy. We traveled up to our first training session in Ocala together. All the way up and back we discussed the many blessing God had given us (families, friends, and ministries), always with optimism and the knowledge that God was in control. I recall Will relaying the story of how his pastor had suggested he consider becoming a deacon at church, and how he had gone to the Gideon state convention only to hear that many of the busiest state officers had other time consuming roles such as being deacons in their churches. Will always knew when the Lord was calling him and once again he joyfully took on this role in his local church. Will, with great enthusiasm became the hands and feet of God in this world.
When Will committed to doing something you could bet he was going to do it to the best of his ability. As his Gideon camp president, Will was always organized and on time for every event. He was always at and led all camp meetings and cabinet meetings. I guess that is why so many of our Gideons noticed something was ary, when they arrived at our regular Saturday morning prayer breakfast and didn’t see his truck in the lot. This morning as Will and June were preparing to join us, he had a massive heart attack and died.
Remember these words of truth-
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life”. John 5:24
At my homecoming I look forward to seeing all the saints who have gone before me, and to hearing Will Hope’s laughter coming from the midst of the crowd.
in a moment it was over. I am reminded again today how fragile life is and just how short a life time can be. None of us knows when or where God will call us home. It is just good those of us who believe, that Jesus came so that our sins might be forgiven, know there will one day be a home-coming for us. You see, today I lost a younger friend to a sudden and massive heart attack.
I remember meeting Will for the first time. He was one of about 20 business men being introduced to the Gideon ministry, through our new member plan. Will was the guy whose contagious laugher made you want to laugh along with him. He was the guy who when given the challenge, joyfully committed to whatever God’s plan was in his life. Unlike many of the other members who joined the ministry that evening, Will and his wife June joined together; inseparable right to the end.
Recently both Will and I were called to take offices within the Gideon ministry beyond our local camp; Will as an Area Director and I as a Regional Program Leader. Because of the economy and some fears of our families (that we might be getting over committed), I know we spent many hours in prayerful consideration before committing to taking these offices within the ministry. As with all of the roles he felt called to take, Will entered this new role with great excitement and joy. We traveled up to our first training session in Ocala together. All the way up and back we discussed the many blessing God had given us (families, friends, and ministries), always with optimism and the knowledge that God was in control. I recall Will relaying the story of how his pastor had suggested he consider becoming a deacon at church, and how he had gone to the Gideon state convention only to hear that many of the busiest state officers had other time consuming roles such as being deacons in their churches. Will always knew when the Lord was calling him and once again he joyfully took on this role in his local church. Will, with great enthusiasm became the hands and feet of God in this world.
When Will committed to doing something you could bet he was going to do it to the best of his ability. As his Gideon camp president, Will was always organized and on time for every event. He was always at and led all camp meetings and cabinet meetings. I guess that is why so many of our Gideons noticed something was ary, when they arrived at our regular Saturday morning prayer breakfast and didn’t see his truck in the lot. This morning as Will and June were preparing to join us, he had a massive heart attack and died.
Remember these words of truth-
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life”. John 5:24
At my homecoming I look forward to seeing all the saints who have gone before me, and to hearing Will Hope’s laughter coming from the midst of the crowd.
