On Losing Bob and Gaining Insight

Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.

- St. Francis of Assisi

Last week, the world lost a special person. Bob Vantine, a friend, mentor, and colleague of mine died after a long bout of illness. I met Bob in my position at Indiana University as an academic advisor. He was the assistant director of the program and was the epitome of a people-person. He loved reaching out to students and watching them become successful. He was also very well read. Nearly once a week, he would suggest a new educational model or text that was a "must read". I was always amazed at how he was able to read so much after being so busy.


What I gleaned from Bob the most however, was not his position in our program or his expansive reading lists. What I learned most from him is how much one can embody something without ever saying it. Confused?... Let me use a reference in scripture to explain...

In the book of Esther in the Bible, the words "God" or "Lord" are never mentioned. It has been said that this is the one book where God is not named. However, this one book displays so much of God's character. In it, Esther goes from rags to riches and becomes the queen of the kingdom. She then witnesses a plot to kill all those in her bloodline (Jews). Finally, she gathers enough courage and faith to overthrow the plot and save the Jewish people! (a great book in the Bible to study; there's also a pretty good movie on it - One Night With the King) How could she have done all this without God???

You see, Bob and I never talked much explicitly about faith or God. But I believe he knew God and believed in Christ. Much like the book of Esther, I could not always tell that from listening to him, but I could see it in his actions. In the tireless way he supported students, I saw Christ's love of children (Matthew 19:13-15; scriptures below). In the vigor of his defense of standards and order, I saw Christ's lack of patience with foolishness (Matthew 21:11-13). In the selfless way he spent his final months of diminishing health giving to others, I saw Christ's mission of sacrifice (Matthew 16:21).


Although Bob never openly talked about God with me, he lived his life as if he was being watched all along. As if, in his dealings with others, someone was watching and taking note. In looking at his life, I now see this more than ever. I truly believe that Bob is now away with the Maker, thanking Him for life, asking that He watch over the young, and, undoubtedly, suggesting a good book.




Gaining,
Jeremy







Lord, thank You for Bob. He was such an amazing person. Thank You for his example to me of what faithful service to youth should look like. God, thank You also for the wisdom of living a life that displays You. Let us all live out our purposes with the humble integrity, passion, and excellence you embody. Remind us that in doing this, we are truly "living witnesses".

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Matthew 19:13-15

13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Matthew 21:11-13

12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Matthew 16:21

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.