Well Done, Thomas!

“Among the huge waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man.” – C.H. Spurgeon

I am writing this devotional message on Friday, January 13th. Tomorrow, I plan to attend a memorial service for a dear friend and brother-in-Christ, Thomas Griffin.

Thomas and I met in 2011, shortly after we relocated to Florida. We became close friends, and our bond grew even stronger when he participated in a RTC-sponsored prison ministry trip to South Carolina the following year. Along with a few dozen others, we ministered in 14 different correctional institutions over the course of 11 days.

Over the next several years, Thomas joined me in prisons throughout Florida and Kentucky. Sometimes, we took in a basketball team, sometimes a softball team, and sometimes a power lifting team. It didn’t matter; Thomas was always a “constant.”

Thomas also served on our Risk Takers board of trustees for several years and, when we encountered some financial difficulties, he bailed the ministry out twice with large gifts. There was nothing that Thomas wouldn’t do to further the Gospel.

Seven years ago, Thomas was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that eventually spread to his bones and liver. He also suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, which made breathing problematic. Throughout it all, Thomas never complained and remained optimistic to the very end. Most importantly, he never stopped serving God by serving others. When he could no longer accompany us into prisons, he taught at a local Bible college, served as an interim pastor, and was employed as the chaplain at a retirement community. And when those activities became too much for him, Thomas continued to hold Bible studies in his home and to both counsel and mentor others by phone.

Today, Thomas is pain-free and 100% whole, and so I do not grieve for him. Instead, I rejoice in his “graduation to Glory” and mourn for his wife, Lindsay… his sister and niece… and everyone whose lives he impacted here on earth.

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President