Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell, B.S., MDiv
I was privileged to attend the homegoing services for a man who truly transformed lives and impacted communities on an international level. I called this man “friend.” As I reflected on the more than 30 years I’ve known him, I began to think about time and what someone eloquently wrote of people in your life; some for a reason, others for a season, and then those for a lifetime. Each one significant in their own way.
The person of reason contributes to your life in a specific and/or particular way. It was never intended for them to be there for an extended period. So they come, teach a lesson, and before you know it, they’re gone.
The season person comes to bring “unbelievable amounts of joy,” but only for a period of time. They are there to help you grow, to share and to learn lessons of life. Then, like the change of season, they are gone.
But the person of a lifetime teach lifetime lessons, give guidance for daily living, and lend instruction to help you build your foundation and construct your life. If you’re fortunate, they will pour into foundation materials filled with the Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ. They encourage you through the Word of God to praise Him, to trust Him, to fear no man..,
“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” (Psalms 56:4 KJV)
They would let you know that once you have a relationship with The Lord, nothing, no one, or not anything can separate you from the love of God. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35 KJV)
They would teach you how everything works together for good to those who love The Lord; “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 KJV)
Your job, as it was written, is to accept the giving, receive the teaching, love the person, and put all they have taught you to good use in your life and the lives of all other people and relationships in your life.
Finally, you have to realize that your life also is for a reason, a season and a lifetime, contributions you will make to others. The choice of how you will show up is yours alone. Choose wisely. Not only does your eternity depends on it, but so does everyone who comes into your circle of influence for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
When you have finished your journey in time, they should know how good it was to have had you in their lives. We should live our lives so that we will one day hear Him say,
“Servant of God, job well done, Rest from your loved employ. The battle was fought, the victory won, enter your Master’s joy. The pains of life are over, labor and sorrow cease. Life’s great warfare has closed at last, your soul is found in peace.”
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell, BS, MDiv, is an associate minister at both Goodwill Baptist and Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Bronx Chronicle, its staff, or contributors.
Follow Us