It’s hard to believe that it was six years ago. On a rainy Tuesday afternoon in April, I received a call from a number I didn’t recognize. Reluctantly, I picked up the phone. It was the father of a young man in our church who had become a close friend. Struggling to hold back the tears, Mr. Matthew informed me that his son, Josiah, had died. A seemingly healthy, normal, 23-year-old young man fell dead while jogging on a bike path near his apartment. There was no foul play. No heart attack. No apparent reason. As one of the policeman who came to the scene put it, “He jogged, sat down, and died.” Inexplicably, Josiah’s earthly life ended.
In the midst of great sorrow, I took time to prayerfully contemplate the life and legacy of this dear brother. As I did so, three realities came to mind:
Josiah’s life Demonstrated the Beauty of Steady Faithfulness
Epic. Radical. Extreme. These aren’t exactly the words we would use to describe Josiah. Instead, old-fashioned, antiquated terms like faithful, humble, servant, and consistent come to mind. It was Josiah’s routine, ordinary faithfulness to God and others that made his life… well… extraordinary. In a day when everybody wants to change the world but no one wants to do the dishes, Josiah quietly served the Lord and others whenever and wherever needed.
The world might say that this unassuming young man was “boring.” God’s evaluation, however, is far different. The world loves awesomeness, but God delights in faithfulness. Pr. 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” I Cor. 4:2 states, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Josiah valued what God values. His priorities were God’s priorities. Having observed his life both up close and from a distance, I have no doubt that Josiah was greeted by his Lord with a “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Mt.25:21). In the end, it’s Christ’s approval, not mans’, that ultimately counts.
Josiah was More Concerned with God’s Kingdom than Personal Comforts or Career Advancement.
I’ll never forget the first time I met Josiah. He and another Bob Jones University student considering the graduate program at the University at Buffalo heard about our endeavor to start a church. They attended a Sunday morning meeting where a grand total of five people gathered together to sing, pray, and study the Bible. Not exactly impressive stuff. At that time, our church plant seemed all but dead. I was prayerfully contemplating what our next steps should be.
After the service, I spent some time chatting with Josiah and the other student. I thanked them for coming, but encouraged them to check out other churches in the area where they would have more opportunities to connect with other people in their life stage. To my surprise, both of these young men informed me that they wanted to be a part of our ministry. I was stunned. What an answer to prayer! The Lord would use their presence, encouragement, and service to help the church grow in ways that far exceeded my hopes and expectations.
What would motivate a young guy to become a part of a tiny church plant? The following email from Josiah’s dad sheds light into the kind of man Josiah was… and the kind of family he came from:
Hello Pastor Micah. I am the dad of Josiah Matthew. He told me about your church plant and his desire to get involved in your ministry. In going to UB for his grad work he also had an opportunity to go to Clemson. He told me that it is in the Bible Belt and would be very comfortable for him, but the opportunity to see God work through your ministry and to stretch his faith he would rather be in Buffalo. Praise God! I am excited for him and you as you seek to win the lost there in Buffalo! Put Joe to work Micah and my wife Tina and I will continue to pray that the Lord will increase your opportunity to honor Him through your ministry. We will be looking forward to meeting you when we visit.
In Christ,
Harry Matthew
Read that email again. Let those words sink in deeply.
Most of us cling to a life of ease, comfort, and security. Josiah didn’t. He wanted to take the hard road to advance the the gospel in a tough place. Josiah prioritized God’s Kingdom over earthly pursuits (Mt. 6:33).
May his tribe increase!
Josiah’s Passing is a Vivid Reminder that We are All One Moment Away from Eternity
I highly doubt Josiah woke up that Tuesday morning and thought that it would be his last day on earth. In the midst of his usual routines, he died. In a moment, he entered eternity. Josiah had prepared for that moment years ago by embracing the gospel in repentant faith. Josiah, however, didn’t merely prepare for the day he would enter into eternity. He prepared for the life he is now enjoying in God’s presence by living faithfully for God’s glory and laying up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21).
Conclusion
The book of James states, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” When the Lord calls you home, what will your legacy be? Are you pursuing a life of humble, Spirit-empowered, faithful service? Do you really value God’s Kingdom above your own? May the Lord grant us grace to live worthy lives of the gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27).
