Word from Wiese

He Died Too Soon

He Died Too Soon

3 May 2023

Darren HawkinsHe died too soon.

All of us are jolted when we hear the news of people who die before it seems right.   Young children are the toughest, whether a friend of the family or a tragedy we hear via the news.

But maybe you’re like me, rattled when someone you went to school with passes away.    Last week, it was Darren Hawkins.   In the middle of my sophomore year in high school, I moved from the south side of Chicago to Worthington, Ohio, just north of Columbus.   For all kids, school transitions in the middle of a year can be tricky.  So, I was glad to meet a guy like Darren.

We hit it off with our mutual love of music.  One thing led to another, and somehow we put together an a cappella quartet, called Sam Commode and the Four Flushers.  We sang oldies like Duke of Earl, Blue Moon, and Book of Love.   We opened for comedy clubs and bars, and sang at outdoor events.  What a ball making some good weekend money doing something we loved.  (And it wasn’t a bad way to meet some girls either.)

While I sang harmonies with some dorky choreography, I was always captivated by Darren’s lead voice.   What a gift.   Unfortunately, we lost touch in college and early adulthood.   But when out of the blue I heard that Darren had recorded an album of faith songs, it was a blast inviting him over to my church in Dayton, Ohio for a concert at our outdoor chapel.    That high school friendship of playing guitars and singing together also included a ton of conversations among two young guys exploring what life and faith were all about.   Who knew God would lead one of us to leading worship for a Baptist church and the other pastoring Lutherans.

Here is a link to one of Darren’s songs:  https://soundcloud.com/darren-hawkins-8/01-mercyville

The song describes a place called “Mercyville.”  A life situation where Jesus’ hope for us thrives.

Two weeks ago, our confirmands at COS shared key Scripture they chose as life verses.  Perhaps Darren’s was James 2:13, which he quotes in the song’s bridge:  mercy triumphs over judgement.   That four-word promise of God’s is huge!  But the way Darren puts them to music—as with songs of faith throughout time—wow!   I’ve been lifted and re-inspired so often through Darren’s song.    (Note:  did you notice that Darren mis-spelled “triumphs” on his album cover?  Glad mercy covered that one too, although his high school buddies loved to razz him about that.)

Here are a few more lyrics from the song:

I go down the road with a heavy load of what’s wrong with me.
But I can unload it outside of Mercyville.
And the people there take time to care, they wanna know your pain
And if you’re feeling low, o you gotta go.  Go to Mercyville
And the people are not perfect.  They don’t pretend to be.
They know loving one another is their responsibility.
You know to learn a peace of mind that only love can fill.  In Mercyville.

I thank God for Darren’s faith and music, which paint Jesus’ vision so well.

“It’s not the duration of one’s life that counts, but the donation.”  I love that quote.   It applies to the life of Nora Lorraine Robinson, whose 18-month life we remembered last week at COS.   Her time was short, but her impact long.   Her grandma, Linda Barbour, actually wrote a book called 510 Candles, full of what she learned from Nora in her 510 days on earth.

Perhaps the same can be said for Darren’s life.   55 years isn’t the ideal duration of an earthly pilgrimage in my opinion.  But I praise God for Darren’s significant donation into my life, and that of so many others whose departures seem untimely.  And I praise God for another friend of mine who only made it to 33 years of age . . . . Jesus is also responsible for a few lyrics we love to sing in hope—in the spirit of Easter–wouldn’t you say?

In Christ’s hope,

Pastor Fritz <><

Questions:

  1. Is there someone you know who is still mourning the loss of their loved one? How can you reach out to them with a word of encouragement?
  2. Who is someone God used for a meaningful donation into your life although the duration of your relationship was not long? Does that inspire you to pay attention with how you invest in your current relationships?
  3. How do you play Easter in your heart and mind when you hear about somebody’s death?

Let us pray:  Dear God, help me remember that even more important than the duration of my life is the donation that I can make in the lives of others, allowing you to work through me.  Help me express appreciation to my friends and family on a regular basis.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.