Is There One Thing That Best Defines You?

If you were to review your life in photos, is there one thing that best defines you? The photo I used for this post is one of my favorites. The reasons may not at first be obvious.

Of course, it captures Elijah in a spontaneous state of joy and laughter. He is enjoying a fun moment with his cousin Jenni Maas. The event was the wedding of our daughter Brittany and Eddie Kirsch. It was a beautiful summer day in 2013, and we had so many great memories.

There aren’t many pictures that we would say perfectly define us. But I especially like this picture because it best defines how Elijah approached life. Not the fancy clothes. Not the Justin Bieber haircut. Not even the smile. It’s the fact that he is carrying someone on his back.

Elijah was a great athlete and a true team player. But when things got tough, he wanted to be the one who helped carry his teammates to victory. He was one of the top players in World of Warcraft, and would actually make money carrying other players to new skill levels. He had such a gentle and tender heart that he would frequently be the one to help take his 95 year old grandpa back and forth to his bedroom. Whenever anyone needed a ride, he would willingly drive the car. Whenever there were groceries to carry in or furniture to move, he would be there.

Mostly, though, Elijah wanted to carry the world to the cross of Jesus. He had such a burden to take God’s love to the lost. He spent quite a bit of time encouraging and mentoring people online. Over Thanksgiving Day he was concerned that he might be ignoring his online friends, and I suggested that he would be OK to rest for one day. He couldn’t resist, though, and still spent a couple of hours that day communicating words of hope. That was his last day with us.

Elijah wanted to reach the world with the good news that God can lift our burdens. And Elijah, more than most young men, knew what it was like to carry personal burdens. That’s part of his life story and testimony of victory in Christ. But his desire to carry others to the same place of freedom was what characterized this amazing young man to the very end of his short life.

Here’s another reason I really like this picture. It reminds me of a recent dream. I certainly don’t remember all my dreams, and I don’t dream that often about Elijah. But this one stuck with me. Elijah had scooped me up in his arms and was running along roads and fields faster than a speeding car. He never said anything, but just looked at me and smiled. He seemed to be showing off. But maybe he was just in his true element. He was always happiest when he was carrying someone. And in many ways, he is still carrying me. My passion and desire for eternity is reignited because of Elijah.

I have a renewed appreciation for what the Apostle Paul said when facing hardships and persecution: “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)

Please ‘like’ and ‘share’ this post as you find it helpful and inspiring. Thank you.

-Ken Buchanan