I rarely have time for this blog anymore, though at one point, I was writing quality enough material here that Michael Spencer put me in his blogroll. And he’s why I write here again tonight.
More than that, he’s one of the reasons I write in the first place. Five or six years ago when I started writing, I discovered Internet Monk and the Boar’s Head Tavern. The BHT looked like a blast to me, so I sent Michael a bit about myself and this writing sample, and I was let in. I’ve been then on and off over the past five years, probably most active whenever a discussion on race got going (Michael and I tended to disagree on a few fundamentals there).
Now, I know the BHT isn’t a blog of professional writers, but something about Michael’s willingness to have me write for the site made me think that I could do well as a writer. I’ve since gone on to publish books, and I’m honored to have been asked to write an essay for a tribute book for Michael.
Sadly, he’ll never read it, as he died of cancer tonight. I can’t quite handle it. I didn’t think it was possible to cry this much about someone you’d never met in person. (We tried to make arrangements to do so twice, but both fell through … I regret deeply not trying harder, now.) I made one attempt to distract myself by picking up a book that has commanded my attention for the past two days, a few paragraphs in, I was in tears again.
Michael will be greatly missed. It’s been a while since the fallenness of the world and a desire for it all to be healed has gripped me quite this strongly. To adapt Bebo Norman just a little:
It was not his time
That’s a useless lie
A fallen world took his life
My prayers are with the Spencers tonight, but they are little more than “help,” and “When will this all finally end?”
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I was a coworker of Michael for almost a year from 2006 to 2007. I heard him preach in chapel and ate lunch at the same table with him nearly every day. I treasure those moments very much right now.
It’s after 2am here and I’m still up. Like you and many others right now I’m wondering why. All I can say to that right now, and I know it’s a very simplistic answer, is that there is a certain point where human wisdom stops and faith in the one who has all wisdom takes over.
Death does not have the final word.