During the remodel, we made a conscious effort to refresh the space while honoring our predecessors. One significant task was relocating the stained glass above the sanctuary doors. It was challenging, especially considering its height above our eye level.
This was a big task with many obstacles on a few levels. It was mounted inside a very large box. The window was very old, and the leaded glass was beginning to fall out due to the softness of the lead and its age. Lastly, where would its final place be after the remodel?
After a ton of hard, tedious work, the window was safely lowered from its perch above the door and safely passed into storage while the remodel and all the construction went on. One considered location was just outside the pastor’s office, so anyone entering the side door or exiting the bathrooms would see it at eye level. As the family room became such a beautiful space used by so many, it became clear that it was the location for all to enjoy.
As many know, finding the right place for anything is the key to bringing out its beauty. When you have a painting at home, the location can bring out so much more of the piece’s beauty, and this stained glass is no exception. Once the glass was mounted, a brilliance of the glass showed that I had never seen before. The location was perfect.
The man of whom this stained glass was in memory was Tim Corliss. He was a faithful man who helped the church navigate the early days that led up to the construction of the building. One Sunday morning, not long after we moved into the church campus, the church announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. Everyone was shocked that a man so filled with life was dying.
One Sunday, about six months later, Pastor Dave permitted Tim to stand up and share with the congregation about his journey. At this point, I had been a follower of Jesus for about two years. I was a baby Christian at the beginning of my trip, and this faithful servant was at the end of his journey.
The power and passion he shared that morning inspired me, and that morning, I knew I wanted to follow Jesus with all the zeal I could muster. I’m not sure if I ever saw Tim in church again. I know I was never able to share with him the way his facing death impacted me. Not long after that Sunday, Tim passed away at home, surrounded by his family and friends. For the longest time, I regretted that I had never told him the impact he had on my life.
This is why Paul is writing to the son of the faith in 2 Timothy from prison in Rome. He knows he is dying, and most likely, Paul will never see Timothy in person. Who in your life do you have unspoken words with? Please do not wait to share them and live regretfully as I have with the passing of Tim Corliss.
This Sunday at 9:30, we open 2 Timothy so we can hear the passion that Paul left for Timothy and each of us to live a life worthy of the price Jesus paid. Maybe, just maybe, we can have an impact just like Tim Corliss had on me that Sunday morning.
In Him,
Pastor Chris