Are you prepared to draw closer?

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We’ll – I promised you something on being “intentional.” Unfortunately, life’s circumstances force us to adapt every now and then. This is one of those times.

Very early this past Sunday morning, Roger Davis was killed in a car accident in Camden. Most of you didn’t know Roger. Truth be know, I didn’t really know him either. However, I’ve known his dad, Rusty, since I was a teenager. I’ve known his uncle, Jimmy, since I was old enough to walk, and – to this day – count him and his wife, Amanda, as some of my closet friends. I’ve know Roger’s aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews. I’ve known Roger’s grandparents, Murray and Virginia (or – as I’ve always known them - “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”) over half of their life and all of mine. They’ve always treated me as part of their family and welcomed me into their home. I can’t think of anyone that embodies “family” anymore than they do.

So why has this tragedy affected me more than most others? In particular, why do I hurt for someone that I really didn’t know?

Part of my hurt is for his family. I know them well. Roger's grandparents have been married for 66 years. 96 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren make up the their family tree. In all those years of marriage, Roger’s death is the first death in the family.

I hurt for Rusty and Jean, for Jimmy and Amanda and for Mr. and Mrs. Smith in particular – I love them dearly, and can’t imagine what they’re going through right now.

Finally, I hurt for those that will reject Christ during this difficult time. When faced with up-close, personal, human tragedy – the loss of a loved one, for example – people are often faced with a choice. Will they draw closer to God, or will the push away? It’s easy to say “I’ll draw closer…” when it’s not personal – when it’s about someone else other than me. But what about when it’s in your face? When it’s about you?

We’ll all face that choice one day. Are you prepared to draw closer?