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THE DASH BETWEEN THE NUMBERS A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. Ecclesiastes 7 : 1
We enter the world. We leave the world. And what we do with our lives between those two events remains our choice as the gift given to us by our Creator. The life choices we make depends largely upon how we were raised that not only affect us, but other lives we touch along the way.
When news flashed around the globe that former president Ronald Wilson Reagan passed away on a sunny Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm on June 5, 2004, the world stopped for a rare moment of reflection. It was as though a major event had happened in which one could not help but stop and reflect upon their own life; the choices they’ve made thus far during that life, and what will become of their life from here on.
The apostle James, called The Just by Paul, writes in his book within the Holy Scriptures, For what is life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (4.14) When we look back on someone else’s life, especially the oldest American president who has had a full and rich existence, we see those 93 years as a whole; a moment in the blink of an eye. A puff. We may think of him as not just the 40th president of these united States, but could also see him as an actor, a cowboy, a rancher, a statesman... an American.
In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 14, the Lord states to His children, I alone, know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you; plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster; plans to bring about the future you hope for...
Yes, Ronald Reagan was a Republican by nature and choice, but more so, he did not evoke party spirit, as do the majority of today’s politicians seem to thrive on; never more evident than this year’s presidential election; perhaps the most hated we have come to witness. Like our Founding Fathers (whom Reagan often joked he knew personally), Reagan cared about the country; his country and our country; these united States collectively called America. He cared not about the good of the party but the good of the country and it’s people and how we stood with the rest of the world and in the eyes of the Lord.
During his two terms as the president of the 80s, he gave dignity to the White House and American pride to the people, unlike another two term president of the 90s who turned the country’s White House into a Whore House, and shamed us in front of our Creator and the rest of the world.
During Reagan’s presidency, he gave the country the year of the Bible (1983) and encouraged prayer; humbly confessing that although he was in a position of high power, he still needed the guidance of a Higher Power to lead him so that he could effectively lead the nation to the greatness it was once renowned for throughout the other nations of the world. He had no problem publically acknowledging that America is a Christian nation and must conduct itself accordingly regardless of what the other nations may think of us or how they choose to live.
How we, as a country, have slid so far down the slippery slop toward Hell from the presidency of the 80s to the presidency of the 90s, it was perhaps a blessing that Reagan didn’t know what was happening to his beloved country.
He was known as the Great Communicator; never more evident than some 20 years ago when six astronauts and a school teacher tragically died in the space shuttle Challenger moments after take off. His words of compassion bound a nation and a world. He was never ashamed to be the public persona of our emotions. He knew how to hold the country’s hand when it was needed.
As with another great American patriot, my friend, Charlton Heston, also a victim of the dreaded mind robbing disease, Alzheimer, Reagan carried his affliction with grace and dignity during the last decade of his enormously fulfilling and incredible life.
In Isaiah, chapter 46, verses 3-5, the Lord promises his followers, I have cared for you from the time you were born. I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you. To whom will you compare me? Is there anyone else like me? Reagan was an eternal optimist. He believed in the good of America and her people. He believed with the Lord’s help and guidance we would stay the course, even though many of us still alive see the evil and hatred from those who wish to destroy the very foundations our Forefathers set down for us by twisting and turning the Constitution to fit their own morbid and degrading lifestyles.
Ronald Reagan has passed from this life into the next. He entered the world and made a difference before departing it. The body has been laid to rest and an era has gone. And on his memorial stone, it reads...
I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.
The decade long journey that had led him into the sunset of his life has now been swallowed up in victory. And in the twinkling of an eye, Reagan entered the Place where there are no sunsets, and his gift for staying the course was an eternal crown of glory.
Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into thy rest and the joy of the Lord.
Until next Month, Kevin |
