Christian Author: Writing to Raise the Gaze

  We hear the term 'unsung hero' quite often nowadays. It's usually in reference to someone considered ordinary who did something selfless or otherwise extraordinary in a situation.

   In some cases, the unsung hero may not have performed any one deed considered extraordinary in itself to merit the appellative, but rather his or her general way of life -- the cumulative value of the way he lived -- is worthy of note.

   It's good when admirers are moved to bring such persons to the attention of a wider audience. Unsung hero? I'd say that was how I thought about Bill when on my way to his memorial service last week.

   Once I'd signed the memorial guest book May and I entered the chapel room to join the visitation line. Eventually, we got to view dear Bill Lucas' earthly tabernacle, reposed serenely in his casket. He looked as real and alive as when I'd seen him sleeping numerous times before, when calling in to visit him in the senior's residence. But Bill wasn't there. This was only the image of his mortal life, lingering in the clay.

   He'd crossed over into greater, eternally enduring, realities. The Lord had come -- true to His Word -- and taken Bill away to be with Himself (John 14:1-3).

   After several minutes of visiting with Bill's daughter Rebecca we moved on to secure seats, allowing others to visit with her.

   Attendees were predominantly senior, although people of all ages and stations in life were there to celebrate his life. I wondered how many of those people had been brought to a life-transforming faith in Jesus through Bill's faithful witness, or had been encouraged and helped along in life in some way. He had been a farmer and rural mail deliverer, and was a lay minister, and S.A. soldier.

   Major Rick Pollard of the Salvation Army officiated. And what a service it was! Senior 'Sally Ann' saints and people from various church fellowships had come to honour Bill's memory, and were free in their praises. Shouts of Glory to God! and frequent Praise the Lords! and Hallelujahs! filled the place again, and again. A great swell of fervent singing filled the room with the music of grand old Gospel hymns of faith.

   A long-time friend of Bill's, Harold Scharf, brought a tribute-cum-eulogy-cum-solo and message. He stirred us all to be as committed to the Lord and live passionately for Jesus as Bill had done.

   Yes, personally I was honoured to have known him these past six years or so, and caught a sense of his love of the Lord, and strong desire to live true to God. He had a clear passion for the salvation of souls, and took his witness seriously.

   William Roland Lucas' life of eighty three years had touched many hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- with the fragrance of Christ since the time of his coming to Jesus as a young man.

   May and I give thanks to the Lord for Bill. We were honoured to have witnessed our Brother's home-going celebration; yet more importantly, to have been touched by his life and testimony.

   I believe Bill is no longer unsung, and that he received these words from the One who really matters: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

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