I have lost, temporarily, another friend here on this planet. Curt Noland and I used to be roommates and was my backpacking buddy to the Sierras in our younger days. He taught me how to snow ski and we also took many trips together to share in that sport. When I think of Curt, and all he was, I can say he was the real deal, and a man of great integrity. Okay, no one is 'perfect', but my real-life heroes stand a cut above most and Curt rises as one whose integrity was lived out his entire life, and is yet another of my heroes. As a believer in Jesus, he never called friends or co-workers to account, or to square up their lives with Christ. Instead, he demonstrated what a humble life of faith looked like. He worked tirelessly, spending his life developing communities with his engineering expertise, care and inspired negotiating skills. People took notice.
It was all divulged at his memorial service, most of those in attendance connected to Curt through work. What was revealed to them was the reason for his discipline, character and nature; his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. The real deal, not some add on. So many non-believers were attracted to something about this man, so much so that they wanted to attend his memorial service hoping to understand why their heart ached in his absence. They got it in spades.
I don't know about you, but when I examine the lives and testimony of incredibly brilliant people, who demonstrate phenomenally real humility, I take notice. When I see them doing and working with all their heart wherever they are called, my heart longs to be like my heroes, especially when their lives are a reflection, a true reflection of Jesus Christ. It is earth shaking.
As I stood, looking at the moon, my heart raced back to Genesis...
Genesis 1:16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made stars. God placed them in the expanse of the sky
to illuminate the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God
saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was
morning —the fourth day.
It is earth enlightening. When I think of Curt, I think of the full moon. The moon has no radiance of its own. When 'hidden' in the darkness of the shadow of the earth, its unlit surface is invisible in the night sky. However, when moved into the light, its surface brilliantly glows with increasing brightness; the lesser light shines with radiant illumination, into the darkness of the planet. What is also interesting is that the quality of that light is influenced by the quality of the moon's surface. It is the smoother, more reflective side of the moon is always facing toward the earth.
You see, the sun is the true light, where it all begins for our planet. It's brilliance and energy powers our planet; gives life to it and is vital to all that is alive. The moon is an accurate reflector of the light of the sun, influencing the reflection by its composition, and surface or more simpler, it's face, all created by the God of the universe. The two 'lights' hover for us to behold and understand the reason for their existence.
When I think of my heroes, I see them as true representatives, true reflections of the light, and, I long to be like them. I am grateful to have been touched by their lives. I am deeply appreciative of those who continue, both large and small to invest and call me to greater acts and deeds as a servant of the living God. I sincerely miss the opportunity to be with my brothers here on earth, but know, with exceeding confidence, that once my time here is finished, I'll get to rejoin my brothers in heavenly eternity. Thanks, friends for showing me the way to live humbly and diligently as one reflecting the true nature and glory of our almighty God.
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