The recent death of Mr. John Ogwyn has hurt all of us deeply. He was one of the most capable, hard working and loved ministers anywhere on this earth. On a personal level, he was a much-loved pastor and confidant to hundreds of people. For countless brethren who had been in one of Mr. Ogwyn's Church areas, the bond with their beloved pastor continued even after they moved, or after he was transferred. The love and affection they felt for him—and that he felt for them—transcended administrative and Church boundaries.
For me personally, John Ogwyn was also a dear friend and confidant. He was one of the key individuals to whom I always turned for advice, counsel and prayer regarding the management of the entire Work. He was, of course, invaluable in his service to God's Work and God's people. He was a vital part of the leadership "team" of this entire Work— a minister, teacher, writer, presenter on our television program, a member of the Board and of the Council of Elders. He was all of the above and more, while at the same time having the "heart of a pastor" in continuing to personally serve, counsel, pray for and encourage hundreds of God's people.
Undoubtedly, through these trials we are experiencing, our heavenly Father is helping all of us realize how weak we truly are, how fleeting is life itself—and how much we need God and depend on His mercy and help, day by day and hour by hour. May God help us to learn every lesson, overcome every obstacle and serve Him even more zealously and humbly the rest of our lives!
The Apostle Peter wrote to the Christians of his day: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6–7). As both biblical history and secular history tell us, the Christians of Peter's day—and of those decades immediately following—suffered terribly. They were beaten, run out of town, beheaded, stoned and sometimes even burned alive! So when Peter writes of being "grieved by various trials," we can barely comprehend what many of those first Christians went through. Note how Peter writes that the grievous trials we experience are to help God see the "genuineness" of our faith, "being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is 'tested' by fire."
God does need to know how genuine our faith really is. For the various "tests" he brings upon us now are only a small prelude to the enormous tests that will come in the future as the entire world begins to go through the Great Tribulation, through the trumpet plagues and finally through the seven last plagues of God. However, if we humble ourselves and draw truly close to God now, through these trials—we may be taken to a Place of Safety and escape the horrible trumpet plagues and seven last plagues that will come on the carnal people of this world. But God needs to know where we truly stand. Will each of us "pass the test" by faithfully and loyally enduring through these tests that God allows upon His servants today? Will we be driven to our knees, and begin to seek Him and surrender our entire lives to Him even more fully than ever before? These are certainly things to consider.
John Ogwyn, himself, was a wonderful example of one who gave himself to God and to God's people in love, service and loyalty. He could always be counted upon to do whatever God wanted. When various situations came along where I needed help in various aspects of the Work—including moving him—he told me a number of times, "Mr. Meredith, you know that I will go anywhere you ask me to go in God's service!" By his constant example, by his warmth and responsiveness even in little things—and by his "fruits"—I knew that he meant it!
I am absolutely positive that John Ogwyn felt about his latest trial just as the Apostle Paul felt about the trials he had to endure—including the one he described in Philippines 1:19-21: "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Christ was certainly "magnified" in the life of John Ogwyn, and in the example of service and sacrifice that he set—literally driving all over the southern states of the United States, often typing articles and even Bible Study Course lessons on his computer as his wife did the driving, and then warmly greeting, encouraging and serving the people he met along the way as though he was not already tired from all of the foregoing effort! If each of us can try to learn from that example—as well as from the examples of the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ Himself—we will indeed be far more ready to go through the grievous trials that are just ahead.
Mr. Ogwyn will no longer need to be "grieved" by trials— by the sicknesses and agonies of fellow brethren, by the disloyalties of some brethren who turn aside or try to split the Church or by any other type of trial. In the next split second, as far as he is concerned, he will undoubtedly awaken to see the face of Jesus Christ in the resurrection! And, as my wife suggested to me: "Rod, he will probably seek you out and ask, 'Rod, how did things go in the Work after I died? Who really remained faithful? What happened during the time that I was asleep?'"
Brethren, the answers to those questions have not yet been made available. The answers will depend on how you and I conduct ourselves in the years to come. God grant that all of us may truly carry out this inspired instruction from the Apostle Paul, which John Ogwyn certainly tried to do during his lifetime: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1–2).
As the end of this age approaches, and as more tests and trials come our way—including the deaths of brethren and loved ones—let us understand the depth of what Paul wrote a little later: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Romans 13:12–14).
Brethren, we all need to realize how precious life is. We need to love each other, forgive each other and serve one another with all of our hearts. But, at the same time, we need to "glorify God in our bodies" as the Apostle Paul also instructed in 1 Corinthians 6:20. Part of this involves us zealously taking care of our bodies through proper diet, exercise, sleep and maintaining a positive mental attitude and approach toward life. In my Editorial in this issue I review some of the basic instructions that all of us need to observe in our own lives. I hope you will read these instructions carefully and thoughtfully and do your part. For our own lives are precious.
Mr. Ogwyn would certainly agree.
For he, in his physical life, tried to serve all of his fellow brethren in every way he could. We must not forget that example, and yet at the same time must take care of our own bodies in order that we may stay around as long as God wills us—to serve Him and one another while we have the opportunity.