The first law of thermodynamics is this: “Energy can be neither created nor destroyed” Ironically, this law transcends even what we understand about mere science. It is the core of our existence, and the most valuable clue to prove the existence of God.

Today, my world lost a most valuable player. Though we all understand the concept of death, we never truly wrap our hearts around the fact that life is fleeting. We go on about our day seeing the faces of the people in our lives as just a normal occurrence, a monotonous, seemingly invincible day… until the moments come that change our life as we know it, and shake us out of this ungrateful, passionless, selfish attitude towards life.

In Mark 9:35 (New International Version), the bible tells us:
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” My friend Mike Gholson embodied the servant heart that Jesus desires in each of us. He was our “coach,” our father figure, our friend. He made us laugh, let us cry, and exuded love in his warm hugs and tender smile. I think about the last moment I saw him… it was Wednesday evening after service, February 11th, and I was in too much of a rush to stop and exchange our normal hug. Instead, I ran by him in the sanctuary and he settled for my high-five… a high five? Really? That’s all I had time for?? Not even time for a warm hello or comforting embrace from my Celebration papa? But that didn’t matter to him. He never complained about my busy-ness… Never once got annoyed by my preoccupied mind during our conversations. It seemed as though I was always in the fast lane trying to squeeze every drop out of the clock, while Mike traveled comfortably in the slow lane… always making a point to stop and talk to those that stopped to talk to him… always completely focused on the person in front of him, no distractions at all.

What amazing clarity that death often brings… the man that we may have passed in the hallway rushing to get somewhere… the friend that had his arms open wide ready to embrace us… the heart that exuded so much peace, so much love… has now left this physical world. For the first time ever my mourning has been comforted by my joyous heart just knowing that this amazing man is now in the presence of God, our Savior and His angels. There is no more suffering in his world, no more pain, no more tears, no more confusion. All of his questions have been answered and he now is part of this supernatural presence of God around us. There is a party in heaven rejoicing his return home, while earth has lost a warrior, a fellow seeker, and an overflowing vessel of God’s unconditional, simple, unfailing love. Those left behind are burdened with the selfish sadness of losing this source of love, but where was our urgency yesterday? Yesterday we were hurrying to get somewhere. Yesterday we eluded a time-consuming conversation. Yesterday we were blind and invincible. Today we see clearly the magnitude of our loss. The good news is that as God’s creation of spirit made flesh, and flesh returning to spirit, we can somehow understand the scientific concept of energy changing state. In other words, as spirit made human, Mike had limitations of flesh. Risen, his spirit rises again, released from the confines of his flesh, returning to the energy that surrounds us each moment. That is why we know that he is with us… and truly feel him near us.

Now for a Story of God’s Amazing Grace:

Tonight, while on a conference call with our magazine’s leadership team and waiting to tear down the decor of the ballroom we had set up earlier at Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, I experienced something awesome. It was one of those moments when everything seems to go into slow-motion, and you are happily “in-tune” to your heightened awareness at that very second. It was one of those times that you wanted to last forever because it made you feel something deeper… something more alive than most days.

The moment was this: we closed the conference call remembering Mike and how special he was to us, at the very moment I realized I was sitting in front of a fireplace at one of the most beautiful resorts I had ever seen, curled up on the couch, thinking back on the first moment I had this vision from God (for the magazine) and how far I’ve come… Meanwhile, the lead singer of the band from the event began to sing, “Con Te Partiro” by Andrea Bocelli… in ITALIAN! It was the most beautiful opera music I had heard in a long time. Just the sound of it brought me to tears remembering Mike. The God-moment, though, happened after I hung up the phone and had started working.

It took all the strength I had not to break down in tears. I kept replaying the last moments I had with Mike, infusing my own soundtrack of Bocelli’s beautiful italian song that I didn’t understand… and trying to push away the nagging feeling that I really wanted to share my sorrow and my “moment” with the man that sang that lovely song. Watching the band break down their stage equipment I just kept thinking, “why would they want to hear a sad story about a stranger’s passing? Was I so consumed with sadness that I wanted to burden others with it? Well, the feeling (we all know this is the Holy Spirit) finally pushed me into the perfect moment to approach one of the band members to thank him for the lovely song to remember my friend. Before even finishing my story, he blurted out, “Time to Say Goodbye.” I realized that he was already a step ahead of me, and connected the God-dots of my moment. It was as if Mike was saying, “it’s ok to let go.. I’m home now.” It was amazing! The conversation I had with this stranger transitioned into a fellowship moment with a fellow Christian, and an opportunity for God to minister to my wounds. Darryl was his name, and when I asked him why he stopped to talk to me and why he felt compelled to keep in touch with me he said, “It’s your spirit! I see a light in you and when I see light I follow it.” I was so moved and felt so loved by God at that very moment! There was so much excitement and freedom simply through getting this confirmation that God is listening! Later, the singer of the band put it as my “healing moment from God” and for that I am very grateful!

Father, there is nothing I could ever say to thank you enough for the blessings you have given me. You placed my Celebration papa in my life to show me how to love others, to remind me that life is much better driving in the the slow lane. Through Mike, you have taught me to listen to the people in my life and take the time to hug, no matter how busy I am. You showed me patience, compassion, true friendship, and the eternal rewards that serving others brings to ourselves, and each of Your lovely son and daughters that share this life with us. God, help me be more like Mike, fill my spirit with a calm that radiates to others. Share with me Your wisdom to be the best leader by being the best servant. Empower me with your love & romance for us so that I may be a reflection of you as Mike Gholson was for us. Thank you Father for his life, his heart, and his continuing impact on those around us. May his soul rest in eternal peace and joy with You by his side… where we all long to be!

Time to say goodbye (Con Te Partiro)
by Andrea Bocelli
———————-

When Im alone
I dream on the horizon
And words fail;
Yes, I know there is no light
In a room
Where the sun is not there
If you are not with me.
At the windows
Show everyone my heart
Which you set alight;
Enclose within me
The light you
Encountered on the street.

Time to say goodbye,
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you,
Now, yes, I shall experience them,
Ill go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer;
With you I shall experience them.

When you are far away
I dream on the horizon
And words fail,
And yes, I know
That you are with me;
You, my moon, are here with me,
My sun, you are here with me.
With me, with me, with me,

Time to say goodbye,
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you,
Now, yes, I shall experience them,
Ill go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer;
With you I shall re-experience them.
Ill go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer;
With you I shall re-experience them.
Ill go with you,
I with you.