“Stoll-en” Moments: For Such a Time as This

By Tom Stolle

 

Four years ago this month, my dad left this world and entered into eternity. His body was ravaged by cancer.

 

As I thought about his passing on the 4th anniversary of his death, many thoughts rushed back. The anger and frustration of not being able to be at his bedside when he died due to the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place. Having to say goodbye to my dad using FaceTime on my phone through a nurse’s phone, telling my dad it was going to be alright and that soon he would be with Jesus. The understanding that we would spend no more time together on this earth. There would be no more hugs, no more conversations, and no more smiles between us. My last link to my parents was gone, as my mom had died eight years prior, succumbing to a devastating brain cancer.

 

I felt like I hadn’t done enough—that I could have been with him more. I regretted our disagreements and the times when I was younger when I took his love for granted.

 

I cherished the closeness we enjoyed as my life entered adulthood, the conversations we had about Jesus, the solid advice he gave me, and the love he had for me, Shelley, and my sons, which was evident. My dad was special.

 

Suddenly, there was no more time for conversation. It was over. My dad was gone well before I thought he would be. I could not and still cannot escape the fact that I wish I had done more—spent more time with him, shared more thoughts with him, and shown him more love. There was suddenly no more opportunity to do so.

 

The Bible says in James 4:14 (CSB), “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.”

 

My dad was here, and then he was gone. A lifetime felt like it passed in a snap of my fingers. We have a short time to spend on this earth. God wants us to use our lives to honor Him. God has plans and purposes for each one of us.

 

What has God called you to do that you have been putting off, thinking you have more time? The memory of my dad’s passing has caused me to consider that question. I think one of the great tragedies of life is a life wasted on the trivial and not on making a difference.

 

The more we attempt to maximize our service to God, the more we will minimize future regret. God designed all of us to make a difference. God has plans and purposes for us. Therefore, God has plans and purposes for your church as well as the BCM/D. After all, your church and our convention are made up of people designed by God.

 

Imagine what we could accomplish together if we didn’t put off until tomorrow what God has called us to do today!

 

As the BCM/D, I want us to be all that we can be. That means embracing what God has for us to do. We don’t put it off, assuming there is more time.  Instead, we run towards the callings on our lives, individually and corporately, as the body of believers.

 

Imagine the joy we can experience in this life, despite our circumstances, if we don’t delay in stepping into what God has called us to do right now.

“For such a time as this.” (Esther 4:11)

 

I’m excited for the future. Let’s get started doing what God has for us to do…..today!