GIFTED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth…For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations
Robert H. Smith was my professor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, California in the 1980s. He was one of 40 faculty members from the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod's Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri who walked out in 1974 in a theological dispute that ended with the ousting of Concordia's president, John Tietjen, who disagreed with a literal reading of the Bible. After the theological dispute in 1974, which led to the dismissal of Smith and roughly 40 dissident professors, Smith helped form the seminary formally called Christ Seminary-Seminex. The dismissed faculty members, along with the vast majority of Concordia's 750 students, continued their studies "in exile" for nine years in St. Louis. Smith served as dean for the "seminary in exile" from 1981 until he joined Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) In 1983. "He had an absolute joy of life," some observed. “He lived life to the fullest, each and every day, with a twinkle in his eye."
Dr. Smith was 73 when he died of leukemia at his home in El Cerrito, California on March 16, 2006. In the moments before his death, his wife, Donna, exclaimed: "Bob, I love you so much, and God loves you even more." A smile flickered across his face, and then he died.
We all have stories to tell but perhaps some of the deepest memories are when we are at the very edge of life. When I read this story of a friend and favorite professor of mine, I recall the last days before Todd died. He too was a man of God who had a close relationship with his God and shared his big heart of love for God with love for me also!
When we walk with God’s love surrounding us, encouraging us, and challenging us, we become a part of God’s kingdom here on earth. Oh yes, imperfect we are to the very core, but God continues to forgive us, surround us, encourage us, and challenge us to make the necessary changes and then to move forward in God’s grace. And I believe, completely, that when I tetter on the very edge between life and death, God will be there for me and for those who love me. It can’t get any better than that!
Prayer: I, though flawed, am loved by you, O God. Thank you. May I stay close to you and share your love with others while I walk here on earth with a twinkle in my eye and joy in my heart. Amen.
