Most people don’t want to talk about death. And indeed, there is no pleasure in gathering to say goodbye to someone whose life has impacted so many people. However, the word of God is very honest about life, and it is very honest about death.
In Psalm 23, the Psalmist spoke freely about walking in and through the valley of the shadow of death, a walk that is a part of a journey of life that everyone must take.
On Nov. 11, 2023, I was honored to eulogize Coach Ulysses S. Grant. His was a life that has impacted so many people. A long-time member of St. John A.M.E Church in Pine Bluff, he was one of Arkansas’ most successful collegiate coaches.
Many of his former students and players attended his funeral and spoke fondly about how he had positively impacted their lives. Over the brief time I served as his pastor, I found him to be a very kind, dutiful, and faithful servant of God and firmly committed to Christ, his family, and his church. However, one of the things that stood out most about him was his strong determination not to let life get the best of him.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In Philippians 1:27, the apostle Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul is drawing on his understanding of life and death. And he says Christ gives meaning and purpose to life.
Coach Grant attended church every Sunday until he could not come. He was loyal, timely, and dependable. He could have very easily been bitter because of his physical condition. However, He never let up, even though he was confined to using a walker, because he understood that living in Christ does not suggest a trouble-free life. No, to live in Christ does not in any way suggest a pain-free life, a life free of illness and setbacks. But it does mean a Christ-exalting, Christ-powered, and Christ-centered life that can manage life and its complexities.
Paul penned the Philippians letter from a prison cell. His ultimate desire was for Christ to be glorified when life was against him. He was in jail, and his jailing was intended to keep him from preaching the gospel. But while he was in prison, his testimony was so bold and powerful that even his enemies came to know Christ. Paul said that certain folk around him would have thrown in the towel had they not witnessed how God worked through him and his situation.
In March, Coach Grant rededicated his life to Christ. And that was his way of saying to everyone I am on the Lord’s side; I am a new man. Old things have passed away, and all things are new.
Even Coach Grant’s life and death have been taken up by Christ and used to glorify God. Maybe if you are reading this and are not in a relationship with God, a seed might be planted to transform your life and bring you into a life-changing relationship with God. Or someone reading this or hearing how this accomplished and educated man in the winter season of his life thought it not robbery to rededicate his life to Christ might cause someone to rethink their priorities and dedicate their life to Christ. Yes, God can use his life and death to glorify himself.
Yes, he fought a good fight. Fighting a good fight does not always imply you won the contest. It just means you gave it your best shot. You fought a good fight. You did not just roll over and give up. You may lose some encounters, but the one you fought with knew that they had a fight on their hand.
I close now with the words his former pastor, the Rev. Cecil Williams, posted on our Facebook page. “We will not say goodbye. If the Lord says the same, we will see him in the morning.”
Be encouraged!
(This devotional was previously printed in December 2023.)
Rev. Chestine Sims Jr. of White Hall is a former pastor in Pine Bluff.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@pbcommercial.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry. Writers should have a connection to Southeast Arkansas.