God is here as savior to us all

It would be wonderful to write something carefree this time of year — spring invites joy in its blossoms, and greening, and bird song. But sorrowful in the news is the passing of a pastor who died by apparent suicide.

Many might think someone in this position would be “immune” to such a thing. My father was a preacher — along with a host of other relatives. They are not some sort of “super humans” who never experience life's down side. As our pastor said earlier this week, it is a broken world populated by broken people — and we live in it and are touched by it. No one escapes suffering.

Pastors deal with their own stuff — and if that isn't enough they also are charged with the troubles of their entire congregation. And if anyone has the false idea that the people sitting in church aren't each facing problems, it's time to get real.

The genuine role of a pastor is a calling from God. The Bible asks how can people believe if they don't hear, and how can they hear without someone to tell them. Jesus' final earthly word to His disciples was a command to go and give the good news of His salvation to all the world — to teach all that He had shown them.

From what I understand this pastor was doing that — and was loved and respected personally and professionally. His decision has shocked a wide community. 

People might ask, did this pastor not believe the message he was called to preach. This is what is so hard to reconcile when this happens among those in ministry. But the very message Jesus brings is that humanity is broken — and everyone needs a Savior.

Except for prideful hypocrites who refused to change their ways, Jesus overflowed with mercy toward others. He is God here in the flesh to redeem people. To show who we are meant to be through knowing Him.

This man believed the message. His life and ministry show that. But something was there that he could not see his way through. The message is not broken. It is suffering humanity where the brokenness happens.

This Silver Valley pastor has been a light in his community for seventeen years. He is mourned and missed. Whatever his pain, I believe God accepted that into His own heart, and this man found rest.

I rejoice that he heard and answered the call to carry the good news of Jesus to the world. Many lives were lifted and encouraged. The world doesn't always think it wants to hear the good news. It is a difficult work. It is an eternal work. Our youth pastor wisely remarked, “It is only people we can carry forward.” Nothing else transfers to eternity. Investing in people is both the joy and burden of pastoring.

God comfort those hurting from this profound loss.