Labor Day Devotional

I have chosen a subject that may seem a bit morbid, but there is a reason for it. Sometimes we don’t take the time to say to people what we want or need to say. We may be embarrassed; we may be stubborn; we may be afraid of rejection; or we may think that the person doesn’t feel the same way about us so we don’t say what we would like to say. While we often think of death as keeping us from saying what we want to say, there are other reasons why we are not able to say things in a timely fashion such as people moving or debilitating injury. Whatever the reason, I want to encourage us tonight to boldly step out and tell the people in your life how much they mean to you.

You remember the story of Absalom and David. You remember how Absalom avenged the rape of his sister, Tamar by killing his brother, Amnon. Absalom remained in self-imposed exile for three years and then David was persuaded to bring him back to Jerusalem. But when Absalom came back David refused to speak with his son. After four more years, Absalom had enough men and power to try to overthrow David. Absalom was killed and David wept. For seven years, David and his son were estranged and then when his son died David grieved. He grieved for his son’s death, but it seems to me that David learned something else that day—the day comes when you can no longer speak to one that you love so much.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a book about Morrie Schwartz who was dying with Lou Gehrig’s disease. One of his former students, Mitch Albom wrote the book as a tribute to his professor and his friend. In the book, Morrie is in the last year of his life. He knows he is going to die and he is working hard to say all the things he wants to say to people before he loses the ability to talk. A colleague dies suddenly from a heart attack and Morrie’s goes to the funeral and determines that he isn’t going to let that happen to him. “What a waste. All those people saying all those wonderful things, and Irv never got to hear any of it.” And so Morrie had a “living funeral.” He invited his friends and on a cold Sunday afternoon they all gathered to pay tribute to Morrie Schwartz. And they laughed and cried and shared the afternoon enjoying each other’s company.

Every one of us needs a living funeral. We could live a long time with that kind of encouragement. Some of us think we will do something like that but we just never find the time to say what we want to say to folks. Those of us past the age of 37 and who like professional baseball will appreciate the name Roberto Clemente. Clemente was the consummate professional baseball player. He won batting titles and a MVP or two. Clemente in his career achieved what few players do—3000 hits. He got his 3000 hit in the last game of the 1972 season. He had 2999 and after discussions with the club brass, Clemente decided not to play during the last game. Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he believed that it would be better for season ticket sales and promotionals if he waited until 1973 to get his 3000. Bob Prince was sportscaster for the Pirates and met with Clemente and encouraged him to go ahead and play that day. After all, one never knows what is going to happen. So Clemente played and got his hit. Of course, the fans went wild. Clemente just stood at second base and tipped his cap to the crowd and the game continued. Roberto Clemente got his 3000 hit during the last game of the 1972 season. It was also the last hit he ever got. Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash later that fall en route to Nicaragua with aid for earthquake victims.

None of us knows how much time we have. This is the 16th annual hot dog feast. We hope to have many more. But some who used to share these with us are no longer here and if we have four more some of us may not be here for the 20th. Don’t waste this opportunity or one in the next few days to really tell someone how much you appreciate them. Write it down, tell them face to face, send it anonymously if you must, but by all means tell them. Allow those that you love to know what they mean to you. Even God told his own Son how proud of him he was. We should do no less with those who are important in our lives.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.