Private: In Thanksgiving for John Stott
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought it might be appropriate to share a letter of thanks. Even if you don’t know Bill, or me, or John Stott, I hope it’s encouraging
Dear Bill,
In the second volume of his wonderful biography of John Stott, Timothy Dudley-Smith recounts an interview that Stott gave with the BBC. In the interview, Stott describes driving home to the West End of London one evening around 11 PM. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a gang of boys “warming up for a fight.” As he got closer, he saw the gang proceed to beat-up the young man, kicking him in his side repeatedly. Stott pulled the car over and ran toward the activity. The boy manages to get away, but Stott finds himself now the victim of the gang, being beaten and kicked.
As I read that story—particular with your relationship to Stott in the back of my mind—three things stood out.
First, it was dark. No one could see Stott’s heroism, yet he acted. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen you act with heroism when no one was watching. I never read James 2 without thinking of you—“show no favoritism.” The mercy and kindness that you shower upon others is never in an effort to get attention or the applause of man.
How many people who’re being proverbially beaten on the side of the road have you stopped to help? How many blows have you yourself taken on their behalf? Too many to name, I’m sure. I count myself as such a person. You took blows on behalf—as I made mistakes, as I acted rashly, as I spoke words out of turn. Out of love, out of obedience to the one who took the blows on your behalf, you intervened, and in so doing, you taught so many of us about the true Good Samaritan.
The second thing that stood out to me was how late it was—11 PM. Stott never took his collar off, so to speak, which likewise reminds me of you. As a matter of fact, I think I learned the most from you when you weren’t trying to teach me at all. In those long car rides, in those off handed moments before and after meetings, as we both talked about our favorite movies; in those moments you were teaching me, pastoring me. Of course, this is a requirement for the office of overseer. It’s the life of the man, his whole person, which qualifies him for office—which is why the character of his family is mentioned by St. Paul (Titus 1:6).
As I’ve observed your life over these past four years, I’ve seen an obedience to the Lord that is all encompassing. The fruit of this obedience, naturally, is your wonderful family. Indeed, it’s hard for me to separate you and your family, your ministry from yourself. It all bleeds together because, like Stott, your calling isn’t restricted to office hours; it’s all encompassing, 24/7.
Lastly, Stott concludes the interview with, “My friends tell me I was a silly ass to attempt to intervene!” I’m sorry, brother, but this also makes me think of you! Paul says the preaching of Christ and him crucified appears to be foolish. Who would spend a life in parish work? Who would spend their days with the broken, the needy, the hurting? Who would pull over to fight a gang at 11 PM? If Jesus hasn’t risen from the dead, only a silly ass. But if he has risen, if what you taught me about the gospel is true, then it’s the greatest calling of all. Then your life of service, your life of sacrifice, is the greatest of all vocations.
I’ve heard your talk about John Stott before—how he gave you a paradigm for ministry, how you’re following in his footsteps. As Stott gave to you, so you gave to me—a paradigm by which to operate, a path upon which to walk.
Happy birthday, brother!
Dustin Messer
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