Rick Trice: Blog (Let's Talk!)

Chaplain’s Confession  by Rick Trice

October 4, 2011

I Corinthians 15:54 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?’”

 My friend, Steve, turned 51 this year.  After pursuing one successful career in the world of investments, he had decided to return to his first love, the theater, by pursuing a teaching degree, and had just earned his masters in theater.  He then had just this semester been given what he called his “dream job,” as head of the Theater Dept. in a local high school in Nebraska.  Steve was a child of God; a joint heir with Jesus; a man who, like the Apostle Paul (and the rest of us), had not yet attained the goal set before him but was pressing on towards it.  His work life was flourishing again, his marriage was more blessed than ever, his children were well on their way to pursuing their lives and careers. 

 And then, the enemy who prowls like a roaring lion (I Peter 5:8) saw a weakness in Steve’s armor, and rushed in to devour him, and on September 23, 2011, he took his own life. 

 “Why?” we all asked.  “Why would he do such a thing to his family?”  In the end, the reasons are not important.  Not really.  What the real question should be is how can a child of God forget wherein his strength really lies, and rush back into a loving Father’s arms, no matter the weakness?   This is not a question of judging Steve’s actions.  In dwelling on and praying over this tragedy and the impact it has on family and friends, like ripples from a pebble tossed in the pond of our lives, I have realized that this is not a isolated question just for Steve.  It is a warning to all of us, even followers of Christ, who have ever been even on the fringes of depression, or of being overwhelmed by the issues of our day; or overwhelmed by the consequences of our occasional poor choices. 

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 Don’t fool yourself.  The enemy circles you and me, also, looking for that opportunity.  So have you given thanks to God in all your circumstances?  He is a lot bigger than anything you can ever imagine; a lot bigger than anything you might’ve done. Run back to the Father, not into the abyss.