The Death of a Coworker

"...for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
- James 4:14

One of my co-workers passed away last night at the age of 59. He was a good man, a man of character and one difficult to dislike. I must confess that his death has struck me in a very powerful way. You see, only two days ago on Tuesday I worked with him and he was his usual cheerful self, working hard on cleaning the carpets at the library. Then yesterday I greeted him in the morning and thought nothing more of him until later in the day (at around 10:00am) I went to the employee lounge and saw him sitting on the couch breathing heavily and with his head on his hands. Another co-worker was already calling for assistance and so we walked him upstairs to the main level and had him sit in a staff area until emergency personnel could arrive. I sat with him during that time, rubbing his back since he said it hurt, and just talking to him and trying to encourage him. I even joked with him that he'd be back later in the day or the next day and he could finish cleaning up the library. During that time I felt a strong desire to pray with him but I did not respond in obedience to this prompting and prayed silently instead.

This morning we were informed that he'd passed away in the night and I was in total shock. I feel badly for his family, especially his young children. I have been told that he had a son who is about 8 years old and I already knew he had a daughter in her early teens, along with some older children. I pray that all of his chidlren will be comforted by friends and family and, far more importantly, that the Spirit will comfort them and bring salvation into their lives. I myself was about 8 years old when my father passed away and it was a terrible event in my life, it tore a wound in my heart that has never completely healed. It is never easy to lose a parent, of course, but I can't imagine anything more damaging than to lose a parent when still a child, a child old enough to understand. So while my prayers are with all of this family, I feel a particular need to pray that this boy not go through the bitter feelings that I experienced up until my early twenties.

Ultimately, the death of this man has also led me to contemplate eternity. You see, what saddens me the most about this whole situation is that this man died without Christ. He was a good man, but he did not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. And you know what? In the three years I knew this man, not once did I share my faith with him. Oh I spoke about my faith, but I never witnessed to him. I never explained the gospel to him. God wanted obedience from me and I offered sacrifice...what wretched creatures we are who call ourselves Christians and don't proclaim the Good News with boldness! But this is not about me, it is about my co-worker. Please pray for his family my brothers and sisters...pray that his death would be the catalyst by which salvation might come into the lives of his wife and children. Times like these can be so confusing, but nevertheless, our God is a holy and just God.

To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen.