Reminders of What is Most Important
Dear Calvary Family,
It’s been a month with a lot of big moments in my personal life that have reminded me of what is most important. There were some exciting highs. My oldest daughter, Grace, graduated from Biola University and will attend Rosemead School of Psychology next year. My youngest daughter, Ella, graduated from Orange Lutheran High School and will attend Biola University next year. I traveled across Europe with the CEO of Greater Europe Mission meeting with missionaries, local pastors and ministry partners in London, Paris, Lyon, and Amsterdam. It was extremely rewarding and meaningful work and I was inspired by the momentum of the gospel in some hard ground for evangelism. I even had some great chats with people about Jesus while watching soccer at a pub in Amsterdam.
But there was also a significant low moment with the passing of my father, George Wakeling. I’m definitely sad about losing my dad but I’m also inspired by a life well-lived to care for others, love his wife sacrificially, and serve Jesus. He was 92 years old, missed my mom, and had just expressed to me that he was ready to go and be with Jesus. We do not grieve without hope.
You can tell that I might feel a bit of whiplash or my head is spinning with all these life events happening within one month of time. I really do! But as I look back on them, I think about some things that are most important to me and I hope this can encourage you to consider these as well.
- Jesus is the most important thing in my life. And Jesus is part of all of these moments - not just the evangelism work or the missions trip. Jesus was with me when my girls graduated. Jesus was with me when my dad died. Jesus was with me while flying on the plane to London. Jesus was with me while watching soccer at the pub in Amsterdam.
- Family is our first ministry and our first love after God. I commit to give my daughters the best of me. I love them so much and seek to help them grow in their faith and relationship with God. My dad accomplished some incredible things in ministry and humanitarian work, but all I really cared about was that he was at my soccer and volleyball games and would spend time with me.
- Emotions are good! Lean into the sadness and the happiness of different moments in life. Experience them fully while knowing that the joy of the Lord will strengthen you no matter what you are feeling. So don’t fear emotions, but don’t be ruled by them either.
- Look for opportunities to share the gospel. You might find those moments at church or at work or at a pub in Amsterdam. I talked with a few people about Jesus but none of them received Christ at that moment. But you have no idea what each conversation will do in that person’s journey towards Jesus.
Thanks for reading my personal reflections. Please take these to heart and consider how God wants you to apply them to your own life. I look forward to getting back in the pulpit this Sunday and sharing about the story of Zaccheus with you all.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric Wakeling