A Life Well Lived

II Tim. 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

This devotional is dedicated to John Charles Eyster, my husband of 53 years, who breathed his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven on April 16, 2010.

When John and I married, we loved to have fun--to take trips and to go to parties and to have picnics and water ski at the river. We were passionate about Alabama football. Then, in 1971, John attended a luncheon where Billy Graham was the speaker. That day John gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ, and a flame was ignited in his soul that never went out, even though some of our friends predicted he'd soon "get over it." He became even more passionate about his Lord than he was about the Crimson Tide. John fueled that flame constantly with the Word of God, teaching Sunday School for many years. It became as natural for Scripture and Biblical principles to flow from his mouth as pouring water from a pitcher.

John had two outstanding spiritual gifts which he exercised often. The first was the gift of giving. He might drive five miles to find gasoline two cents cheaper per gallon, but he was tremendously generous to the cause of Christ. This tendency occasionally caused some conflict between us, because he would not only give of his possessions but some of my stuff as well, and I wouldn't always like it. He would just grin and call me "Hold Fast."

John also had the gift of showing mercy. When someone was in trouble, he would rush to the scene with a Christian book, a box of barbeque, or whatever else was indicated.

John lived his life all out for Jesus Christ. His was a life well lived. He has not only left us his example but the challenge to live that kind of life as well.

Heavenly Father: Thank you so much for John's example and the many examples of other lives lived well for You. May I be such an example to those who know me. Amen.