My friend Charles

A couple of months ago, I was sitting at the office and I had an unexpected visit. One of the ladies at our campus came in and wanted to meet with me. Her grandfather, Charles, was dying of stage 4 lung cancer and she was concerned about him spiritually. She wanted to know if I’d be willing to meet with him and see if God might use me to lead Charles closer to Jesus. I told her that I’d be honored to, and so my friendship with Charles began.

Charles was 80 years old and I knew immediately that he was going to be an interesting guy. He had been in Korea and Vietnam. In fact, it was the Agent Orange in Vietnam that was at least partially responsible for his condition. Charles and I started meeting about once a week and we just talked about life. He told me about the businesses that he’s had, his family that he loved, his doubts about eternity and his ups and downs at the rummy table (-;

He was a cool guy. Every time we met, he always wanted me to pray for him at the end of our time. We would hold hands at his kitchen table and pray together. They had given Charles about 2 more weeks to live, but he was a fighter and months had gone by. I got a text last night from Charles’ son saying that the time was getting close. Abbi and I went over to his house and he had declined quickly. I prayed with him and the family and even though I don’t think he heard me, I let him know that I loved him and was thankful for our time together. I sat with them for a while but when it clear there was nothing I could do, I left knowing that I probably wasn’t going to see him again this side of heaven. I got a call a few hours later that Charles had passed.

It was a privilege meeting with him and getting to know him. I had never walked with someone right to the end before. It was a strange, but powerful experience. It helps put things in perspective. Couple things I learned from my friend that I thought I’d pass on….

1. You can’t take it with you

Charles demonstrated a ton of generosity knowing that he wasn’t going to be able to take any of his wealth with him. At one point, he handed me a hundred dollars and that money went to help a family get Christmas presents that wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. We need to learn to live with open hands towards God and people. It’s the impact on others and the relationships that will reverberate throughout eternity.

2. Doubts are normal

When you’re as close to the end as Charles was, the truth about faith comes into focus. We can’t see heaven and we can’t see God. We shouldn’t chastise ourselves because of our doubts…God can handle them. We should talk about them with others and with God himself. He can give us a peace that is beyond the limitations of our own minds. (Philippians 4:7)

3. Live with the end in mind

There are millions and millions of people that are living in such a way that is going to cause them great regret at some point in the future. It’s a horrible tragedy to watch. We all make mistakes, but God has made enough of his will known to where we can live wisely in light of eternity. Our number one priority should be loving God and then number two should be loving people. (Mark 12:30-31)

4. Jesus is the hope of the world (John 14:6)

On more than one occasion, I posed a question to Charles. I said, “Charles, let’s say you’re in front of the pearly gates. You got Saint Peter and whoever else is there. Let’s say God asks you…”Why should I let you in?” How would you answer him?”

What if God asked you that question? How would you answer him? No one is going to heaven because of their good deeds. It is only because of the finished work of Christ on the cross that anyone will enter in. Eternal life is a gift that was purchased by the perfect blood of the Son of God. Like all gifts, it can be received or rejected. Have you received it? Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

It was a privilege to get to make a new friend. At first I thought I was just going to meet with him once, but he just wanted me to be with him. I hope I blessed Charles. I hope he got as much from us meeting together as I did from meeting him. I hope to see him again. Eternity could come at anytime for any one of us….I advise you to learn the lesson that Jim Elliot learned who said….