in memory of Uncle Sank

Yesterday, Uncle Sank passed away. (Uncle Sank is the first staff of Singapore Campus Crusade).
He was 82 and it was time to go home. While i am sad to say goodbye, i also stand inspired and encouraged by him. He taught us not by great speeches or many scoldings, but by his humble and gentle ways, quietly modeling for us dedication, perseverance and faith. He lived a long life of faithfully serving God, he was doing CP long before us (knocking on doors and sharing the gospel), and recently, while in his 70's, he started a evangelistic website to help people around the world about Jesus.

I had the chance to interview him for an magazine article last month, and i am amazed at the privilege, of just hearing his life, his story.. and seeing God's loving hand so clearly. you know, when i asked him how God first called him, he teared as he related his story. the experience was so seared into his heart, that it was as fresh as yesterday. and that simple fire, deep passion and dedication for God has stayed with him all his life.

in today's obituary for Uncle Sank, they printed a verse from "I'd rather have Jesus". As i looked at the words of the hymn, i knew they embodied the drive of his life.
i was touched by the words and the commentary i found after that, because it reminded me of the cost of following Jesus. and yet what cost is that... if i lose nothing of value, and gain the one most valuable thing in this world.

"Lovers make better workers than workers do."

below i've attached the lyrics and a short commentary of the song "I'd Rather have Jesus"

I’d Rather Have Jesus
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

This hymn is about dedication and commitment. To follow after Jesus is costly. Matthew 16:24-26 says: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’” I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. . .

Philippians 1:21 reminds us: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead. . .

Philippians 3:8 says, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name. . .