First Fruits

Philippians 1:3-11

“Hi, Dad! This is Julie. I’ve got some good news,” my daughter announced one day about a week after she began her teaching career.
Good news had been in short supply in our family, so it was good to hear the promise of something positive. You see, our family was sent reeling into a dark, unknown world of sorrow and pain on June 6, 2002, when our 17-year-old daughter Melissa was killed in a car accident.

It was the last day of school, and with exams completed, Mell and her friends went to Lake Michigan to celebrate the end of their junior year. It was a bunch of Christian kids having good, clean fun and enjoying one another’s company. That evening, as Mell made her way home, the car in which she was riding was struck broadside, and she was killed instantly.

Since that day, it had been hard to find good news. Despite our deep faith, it was nearly impossible to find hope and purpose. Devastated by losing our precious Melissa, our family plodded through each day with unbearable pain in our hearts.

So it was good to hear Julie’s upbeat voice on the phone. And it was great to hear her story. Excitedly she told me that she had shared with her students about Mell’s life of faith and godliness—and told them that they needed to make sure they knew Jesus as Mell did. Later, one student talked to Julie.

“Miss Branon,” she said. “I’ve been afraid ever since you told us about Melissa. I’m not a Christian, but I want to be one.” Julie guided her as she put her faith in Jesus Christ. As far as we know, that girl’s faith represents the firstfruits of Melissa’s accident—and gave us the assurance that through her death God would bring the miracle of redemption.

In the face of our overwhelming tragedy, this came as a ray of light—a bit of good news. Finally, there was some joy, some hope. And it came because Melissa had trusted Jesus and lived as He wanted her to.

In life or in death, how awesome it is that our lives can bear fruit! —Dave Branon

bottom line: The life you lead may help lead others to Jesus.

soul journey