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.

On Resting Like Jocelyn

Time with a child can bring inspiration; having a child can bring transformation.


Our daughter, Jocelyn Ariana Danielle Gilmore, was born June 29 at 8:23 am. She is a healthy beautiful baby. Like most new parents, my wife and I are finding a new rhythm to life with her. The one thing that has been compromised the most is rest. Whatever we thought about missing sleep before, we really had no idea. Jocelyn requires consistent attention and devotion. - Though this may seem taxing (and at times it is), it is much easier to do than you would think. When your child needs something, there is something in you that just kind of kicks into gear. It is an amazing testimony of the relationship God creates between parents and children. - All this said, I now have a much deeper appreciation for rest. When you can get it, take it. When you take it, value it.

Other interesting observations about rest have come from Jocelyn herself. Babies need lots of sleep. Yet, they need certain things done in order to sleep well. God has been sharing with me the similarities between Jocelyn’s physical rest and our spiritual rest. In order to have spiritual rest, we can model these behaviors in our relationship with God.

Jocelyn rests easiest when…

She is near my heart. When we place Jocelyn on our chest, she is comforted. She knows who we are, trusts us, and feels safe in our presence. Likewise, we must be close to God’s heart in order to be at rest. We must know Him, trust Him, and rely on Him. Exodus 33:14 below

She has been fed. Ok, you knew this already, but when she eats, she is ready to rest easy. (It’s actually quite funny – her eyes roll back when she’s done and she starts to fall asleep immediately.) Similarly, we must eat/drink the sincere milk of the word in order to be satisfied and strengthened. One of the most practical ways we can receive from God is right under our noses – from the Bible. I Peter 2:2 below

She has been cleaned/changed. After a bath or after changing a dirty diaper (oddly, you get used to this too), Jocelyn is usually ready to sleep. She feels refreshed and is comforted by being clean. This is the same in the spirit with us – we become dirty with sin and need to be forgiven and cleansed. Even if we don’t sin, we can become complacent and need to be changed. We must seek purity, holiness, sanctification, or as I like to put it, better-ness. Psalm 34:14 below

Finally, there was another way I just found out to give Jocelyn rest. The other morning, she was lying next to me and I simply put my hand on her and she went to sleep. It was amazing. I did nothing more than gently place my hand on her chest. It was here that God revealed to me His desire for us. We can have rest when His hand is on our lives. Every day we can walk in His peace, in His rest when we know He is covering us. I leave with a scripture from Job that sums this up… Job 22:21 – Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Grateful,

j.a.g.

Thank You Lord for the blessing of a child. Please allow me to continue learning from her. Thank You for rest in You. Please forgive me for times when I am impatient, unclean, or unaware. Allow me to be sensitive to Your Spirit and Your hand on my life. I believe that as I trust in You, You will give me perfect peace and perfect rest. Finally, Lord please bless those who are troubled in their spirits. Give them a peace about their lives, their decisions, and their place with You. Thank You in advance.

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Exodus 33:14 – And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

I Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Psalm 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.