Live Like Clint

Good morning,

My name is Todd Riddick, I am the Director of Youth ministries for Harvest Baptist Church.

Ill be honest with you guys, I come this morning with a very heavy heart. In just a few hours I will be flying to the DC area for the funeral of a dear friend of mine this weekend.

I have titled this devotion “Live Like Clint”

The funeral for the man that I will be traveling to this weekend was a man like no other. He was kind, generous, loving, goofy, humble, a risk taker, a Pastor, a church planter, and so many more things, but the thing I will always remember him for was his passion, specifically his Passion for Jesus Christ.

One of the things that he showed through out his life was that he lived out Colossians 3: 23.

Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV)

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I love this verse because it literally is applicable to everything that you do.

Whether its your homework, on the athletic field or court, in the band room, at your job it doesnt matter what you are doing, we are called to do everything that we do to the best of our ability.

I have had the opportunity to be an assistant coach at one time when I still lived in Florida. I was a soccer coach and I saw a kid just walking around on the field. I asked him why he wasnt running and his response was I have sweat in my eyes. So I asked what are you going to do during a game when you have sweat in your eyes. He told me it wouldnt be hot during games. I laughed.

And thats a funny but unfortunately true story, but how often do we not do the very same thing with our own lives especially in our spiritual lives.

Think back to when you first gave your life to Christ. It was a joyous occasion and many of you were probably ready to storm the gates of Hell with a water pistol.

but as we grow older, as we experience life, as we get hurt physically and emotionally, how often do we stop pursuing God with that same ferver. We tell God we cant continue to follow you like that because we have sweat in our eyes.

Where as God is trying to show you the amazing things He has for you but it requires that we keep working and keep striving and continuing to do everything we do as to the Lord.

I also love how that verse ends.

Colossians 3:24 (NIV)

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

We know if you are a believer in Jesus that we will receive rewards when we get to heaven. Now I know my dear friend got to Heaven and has heard well done my good and faithful servant, because He was serving Jesus and planting churches up until the day he died a week ago today in a plane crash in Georgia.

What rewards will we receive?

We may hear these words out of Matthew

Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

We do also know that we may be given Crowns that we then get to cast back at the feet of Jesus.

So I want to encourage you, as you go throughout your day. Many of yall are leaders in your classes, leaders in your friend groups, leaders in your athletic teams, or bands. To live like Clint did, and live your life in a way when you are no longer here that people think back and say wow. That person gave everything they had to follow Jesus, and it was evident in the way they lived their life.