Reunions

“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man He pleads with God as one who pleads for a friend.” Job 16: 20-21 NIV

My best friend from high school sent me a text this past week that he and his wife were going to be in Hays and he wanted to know if they could buy us dinner. We have kept in touch, but I have not seen them in around 25 years.

I met him at the start of wrestling season my sophomore year. At that time the lightest weight class was 98 pounds and we did not have anyone in that class. Our coach just asked the team to keep our eyes open and ask our friends. Jim was the smallest guy I could think of so I stopped him in the hall and suggested he show up for practice. I should mention that I had never spoken to him before that moment.

Today that conversation may be called bullying, but it was really just recruiting. We hit it off. He was smarter than I was, but he was smarter than most people were. He only received one “B” in three years and as I found out this weekend, he might still be a little bitter about it. He ended up going to K-State and majoring in engineering. I stayed in Kansas City, but I certainly knew the way to his new town. Ironically, at the end of his freshman year he got a personal letter from the President of the University.

The letter recognized his newfound ability to party but stated that if he did not get his act together, he might have to pay back his scholarship money. His way too gullible mom called me to their house to ask me “What’s wrong with Jimmy?” For some reason I told her that the only way to get his attention was to cut the gravy train. They should stop sending him money and he would not be able to party as much.

I still remember the phone call from him – I think it was even a collect call (for those too young to know that is when you had to agree to pay for someone calling you), “Claiborn that was the dumbest thing you could have said, you’ve been partying on that money for a year.” That was true. However, he did get his act together.

As Mary and I were waiting at the restaurant I was nervous. Why? He is a large part of my story. Would I recognize him? Would he recognize me? Who got fatter, me or him? Me. Who has made more money? Definitely him. He has worked his tail off. I was nervous but I did not need to be, I already knew him. After initial small talk everything clicked again. It was remarkable how many of our stories should have ended with one or both of us being injured or killed. We thought we were bulletproof. We were the last to leave the restaurant and closing down a bar had a different feeling than back in the day. That reunion has been a good new memory all day today.

We have reunions waiting for us in heaven. My mom and dad, Mary’s dad, Tim, and many friends and family members will be there. Jordy will be waiting. I could be there before some of you. Today I re-learned that there is no need to be nervous about going there. Who did what, who made what, who accomplished what and all of the other questions I may have here will not be relevant there. I do not have to compare accomplishments or explain lack of them to anyone. I don’t have to be nervous to meet my Savior, I already know Him. He already knows me. If you do not know Him but want to, close your eyes and tell Him, “Jesus, I need you as my Savior.” He will take care of the rest. If you want help with that, contact me or Patrick at Breathe or anyone you know to be a believer.

Why do I not more consistently hold on to the pure joy of heaven waiting for me? Am I really too busy for that?

Am I consistently looking for opportunities to invite others to join me there? The verse above describes Jesus as our intercessor pleading on our behalf. Maybe I should do a little more of that on behalf of people I know here.

Challenge: Life here should have balance – between work and play – demands on time and all of that. But expectant joy should overwhelmingly slant towards where we are going rather than where we are.

Rick Claiborn