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Tribute To A "Super"
Man
10/17/2004
"Therefore, my dear
brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the
work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in
vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58
Yesterday was a day of sadness.
Christopher Reeve died at age 52. He starred in Elena's and my favorite romantic
movie, "Somewhere In Time." And I must confess I was a huge fan of his
"Superman" movie series as well!
Alanna Nash of Reader's Digest
recently wrote, "The 'beginning' was May 27, 1995 the day the athletic
actor, an accomplished rider, approached a routine three-foot jump in a Virginia
horse show. His chestnut thoroughbred balked and stopped short, and Reeve, his
hands tangled in the bridle, catapulted headfirst onto the ground. The impact
rendered Reeve a quadriplegic confined to a ventilator and a wheelchair - and
initially contemplating suicide."
During the early months after the
accident, doctors were "hopeless" of Mr. Reeve regaining much if any
movement. However, through sheer will Mr. Reeve regained some sensation over 70%
of his body. He totally stunned the medical community by moving, in water, his
legs and arms! Mr. Reeve also found life in helping others find hope. He
personally visited and inspired many spinal cord injury patients, spearheaded
legislation for these victims, made appearances in films and TV shows to
advocate help for these hidden and helpless people, and tried with his wife Dana
to live a "normal life" by raising their 12 year old son Will! What an
amazing life! (Mr. Reeve has two other children in their twenties from a
previous relationship.)
By reading his obituaries I have
been reminded of the lessons God taught him and Mr. Reeve can teach us.
- Never Give Up Hope -
After Mr. Reeve initially wrestled with suicide, he set his mind to work
towards a day that a surgical procedure might allow him to once again walk.
Even in the face of aging, which diminishes the chances of any kind of
successful surgery, he remained "lazer focused" on this seemingly
impossible goal. Paul says this concerning Abraham, "Against all
hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations...without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body
was as good as dead...yet did not waver through unbelief [but was] fully
persuaded God had the power to do what He promised." (Romans
4:18-21) As disciples, we must have a faith that "faces the facts"
yet does not paralyze our prayers and actions. True faith always hopes!
- Your Life Is Your Soul
- Mr. Reeve was quoted after a recent complication that resulted in another
hospital stay, "Your body is not who you are. My mind and spirit
transcend the body." Though to my knowledge Mr. Reeve never became a
disciple, he did become more spiritually oriented after his accident. A very
profound truth is that our bodies are but "jars of clay,"
breakable and common. (2 Corinthians 4:7) Who we are is not our physical
face, body or even talents. We are the soul housed in our bodies. Our daily
decisions ultimately determine where our soul will dwell for eternity. To
allow our souls to be polluted with lust, bitterness, hate, anger, jealousy,
materialism, envy or lukewarmness is to forget God and to forget that we are
first and foremost spiritual beings made to have an eternal relationship
with Him.
- Work Tirelessly For Others
- Mr. Reeve was motivated to "recover" because of his family and
for those who suffered as he did. He refused to "waste his
suffering" and in fact became more determined to "change the
world." I will never forget a controversial Super Bowl TV advertisement
where Mr. Reeve (through computer animation) rose from his wheelchair and
walked! It was controversial because the critics felt it gave people false
hope. However, I am inspired by it to this very moment! Yes, that day of
having quadriplegics walk is still far away and presently medically
impossible, but disciples must not be afraid to dream those "impossible
dreams." Though most nights I fall into bed exhausted from my day,
there is a profound peace that says in my heart - you made a difference.
Sometimes, one wonders why nobody is being baptized or restored or perhaps
even coming to church with us. But remember the verse that says, "Always
give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor
is not in vain." God is using your efforts. Never doubt! Never
fear! "Always" and "fully" devote yourself to winning
souls and winning the weak. God is using you!
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Mr.
Reeve is gone from this life. However, the value of his movie career and
fame was transcended by the impact of his life during his suffering. In
this, he remains a "super" man! The "face" and labor
he gave for spinal cord injury victims was not in vain. Though he did not
see it, I believe there will be a day they will walk. How much more as
suffering disciples should we labor so God can make the spiritual
quadriplegics walk. As Jesus spoke to a doubting John the Baptist, "the
blind see, the lame walk...the dead are raised!" (Matthew
11:5) These miracles are the testimonies to the ultimate "super"
man of whom we follow! |
Kip McKean
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