Living Life Backward
"By faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Hebrews 11:4 (NIV)
Many of you have responded to my "what are you reading now?" question with book recommendations of your own. If you asked my husband Bruce what book he is currently reading, his answer would be "Living Life Backward, by David Gibson." The book's subtitle "How Ecclesiastes teaches us to live in light of the end" is a good synopsis for the content. Gibson's opening remarks in the preface are telling:
"Ecclesiastes teaches us to live life backward. It encourages us to see the one thing in the future that is certain--our death-- and work backward from that point into all the details and decisions and heartaches of our lives, and to think about them from the perspective of the end. It is the destination that makes sense of the journey. If we know for sure where we are heading, then we can know for sure what we need to do before we get there. Ecclesiastes invites us to let the end sculpt our priorities and goals, our greatest ambitions and our strongest desires... Only if you prepare to die can you really learn how to live."
Bruce has enjoyed slowly working his way through Gibson's book. Along the way, he has been sharing insights or points for reflection. I had already made a mental note to put Living Life Backwards on my reading list, but the book's premise really hit home this week with the sudden death of 24 year old Taylor Harsh. Taylor was struck by lightening last weekend in Gulf Shores while attending a bachelor party for a friend's upcoming wedding. Airlifted from Gulf Shores to Birmingham, Taylor died Sunday night surrounded by family and friends. His funeral was yesterday at our church.
Taylor's older brother Carter, speaking on behalf of his family, shared some personal reflections on Taylor's life. Here are some words that the older brother used to describe his younger brother:
Our big guy - at 6'5" and 215 pounds, Taylor was our Defender/Protector
Yet Taylor displayed gentleness, kindness and compassion
He was easy on your nerves; steady; consistent; calm
He poured into people by sitting on the porch; getting to know your heart; intentional with his time and people
He was also intentional in his walk with the LORD
When he went to college, Taylor got involved with the Big Brother/Big Sister program and mentored a middle school student named LaDarius. He continued mentoring LaDarius through college and in 2016 was named the Big Brother of the Year (at age 23!!)
Carter told several stories about his younger brother, but the one that he finished with was one I'll always remember. On Friday before he left for his beach trip, Taylor spent some time with his great Uncle Tom. The older man sensed Taylor wanted to talk about something important and asked, "Taylor, what's on your mind?"
Taylor responded, "Uncle Tom, How can my life have the most impact for the kingdom of God?"
Neither of them could have known that 27 hours later a lightning bolt would strike and Taylor's life on this earth would be completed by Sunday night. Carter concluded his remarks by reading John 12:24-25:
"I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this worlds will keep it for eternal life."
One of the pastors conducting Taylor's service concluded his remarks by saying, "The faith that we've seen displayed over the last few days didn't just show up in the hospital waiting room Sunday night. It was built over a lifetime."
Taylor Harsh lived his life backwards. He lived in light of eternity, loving God and others. His life, his death, and his faith challenge us to do the same.
"Nothing brings such pure peace and quiet joy at the close as a well-lived past." James Russell Miller
Amen and Amen,
Donna