Finishing Well

Mike & his sweet wife Joye

 Though this site exists to share good news and uses a traditional format of third person journalistic structure to take you, the reader, through a variety of coverage ranging from wholesome to heart-warming to redeeming and victorious, today will be a departure from that as I address you in the first person. Why you might ask? Because this news is personal and deeply impactful in both good and sad ways. My friend, my pastor, my mentor, my brother in Christ, Mike Messerli went to be with the Lord earlier this week. Though he recently learned of cancer the timeline from that discovery to his departure was very rapid and I dare say, faster than any of us expected. I am sad that such an amazing man is gone and in my estimation gone so young, though he would tell you he is old. In fact, the title of this post is actually the title of his longtime blog found here.

He actually started the site around the same time I started my first blog (not this one) and we linked to each others pages, read each others posts, and chatted about the process (positive & negative) during our many breakfast meetings together. In fact, that is the experience that means more to me than anything else and one that hundreds, maybe even thousands of men also got to take part in...breakfast with Mike. The invite was always, "hey, lets get some coffee and catch up...my treat." 

If you let Mike pick the breakfast spot (and why wouldn't you) that mostly landed you at Cracker Barrell. What would start off as a cup of coffee between friends, usually ended with the realization that he had pulled every deep thought and concern out of you and spoke life into how you could navigate forward. He always shared what books he was reading. He always shared Scripture. He always put you at ease and even admitted to struggling with similar issues that you were dealing with. I remember once when he admitted to me that a certain thing frustrated him thinking it refreshing to know even Pastors were real people. And another time admitting that he was a worrier and how much he needed the Bible's reminder of verses like Matthew 6:25-27; Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

On the day I found out that Mike departed from this earth I had several reactions almost simultaneously:

• Shock & Surprise - wow, it seems like we just found out about a health issue. I thought I had enough time to speak with him a few more times and hug his neck. Maybe even get a chance to sit bedside as he did so often for patients who were near death and give him the same kind of comfort and peace that he had given to others.
• Sadness & Regret - our coffee sessions were no longer an option. And though I ate lunch with him a year or so ago, I had no idea it would be our last and I am mad at myself for not keeping the tradition going. I let life and its busyness make me think I could always get back into the rotation when things calmed down.
• Comfort & Peace - I have never met a man less afraid of death and more ready to meet the Lord. His blog title implies it. He is ready to finish this earthly race and receive his crown. I thought it strange when he settled on that title especially since it was 20 years ago and he was not anywhere near deaths door. But maybe he knew what I failed to realize...that time flies and even if the finish line is far off, you are still running the marathon and should desire to run a good race no matter what mile you are on.
• Inspiration & Determination - men like Mike are not common. They are the stuff of legend. My Facebook post boldly claimed that he was of the same ilk and caliber as my dad (also recently departed) and I don't put many people into that category. So when such big shoes are left, who will dare fill them? When such a high bar is set who will strive to meet the mark? Though I feel no ability or ego to take on the mantle I am inspired to try. Both my dad and Mike would tell you that any good and worthy accomplishments that they had the honor of bringing forth came from God anyway and would quickly step out of the spotlight and refocus it on our Heavenly Father.

So I will do what I can to honor Mike's legacy but I would invite you to do the same. Those shoes are so big, I dare say it would take an army of us to pick up where he left off. But lets do exactly that. Let's work together and strive forward. Let's do what his blog title beckons and even demands...to finish well.  Though I fully came to understand the gospel in my early 20's and became born again, it was in my late 20's, early 30's that I felt the pull to be baptized having only been through the infant traditions of the Methodist church previously. So it was Mike who I asked to do the honors and I am so blessed to have had him accept. Thank you Mike for all that you did for me and for the rest of God's family! We love you and we miss you!