It's been over a month since my last post. And yes, I am supposed to be in Tonga by now. Unfortunately I have amazingly little control over my life. In case you are wondering, my trip has not been cancelled, only postponed.
On December 26 2014, my brother Pastor Andrew Evan Pearce was tragically killed in an automobile accident in the Philippines when he lost control of his SUV and hit a mango tree while overtaking a stalled car. His wife was with him, and initially we were informed that she was critically injured as well. Only by the grace of God was she spared with seemingly minor injuries, as looking at the vehicle it was hard to believe that anyone inside could have survived. If her life had also been lost they would have left three orphans. I could have easily been traveling to the Philippines to foster my niece and nephews in addition to attending my brother's funeral, or even to bury them all! I refuse to imagine if their small children would have been in the back of the car. It is also noteworthy that the only thing that kept his car from plowing through a very poorly structured house that was dangerously close to the road and killing any inhabitants present was the very mango tree that took my brother's life. Thankfully my (and Andrew's) father and niece (Andrew's daughter) and I made the long voyage to support his surviving family and attend a single funeral, rather than the potentially greater loss of lives.
While my brother's loss was tragic and quite unexpected, it was not in vain. During my time at Naga View Adventist College, where my brother was serving as a missionary Theology professor, I witnessed first hand the impact that he had on so many of the young people not only in the college, but also in the high school and elementary school. The people of this community were overwhelmingly hospitable and grateful for our presence, which was evidenced daily by the way we were greeted with wide smiles and warm hugs and handshakes. It is apparent to me that Andrew left quite a legacy at Naga View Adventist College, and that his teachings touched and guided many young people in their journey to building a lifelong relationship with our Savior and King. There is even talk of erecting a memorial library in my brother's name, to include the vast collection of theological books he contributed to the school. My father and I have been tasked with raising the funds for this building, so count on further fund raisers in the future from me. For now though, through the loss of my brother has sparked a deeper desire for me to forge on with my plans, and to fulfill the commitment I made with Mizpah Mission Adventist High School, and with the people of the Kingdom of Tonga, and with the Lord. I have paid my respects to my brother's family and now it is time for me to continue my own journey in service.
If there is one thing the past few weeks have taught me, it is that life is short, too short. Because of this I have a message for anyone willing to hear it. You never know when it is your time. Nobody knows how much time we have left in this world. This means that it is crucially important that each and every one of us take care of business ASAP. Don't put off until tomorrow what really should be done today. Don't get caught up in the false idea that there is plenty of time to turn your life around tomorrow once all the fun is over, for it might just be this "fun" that results in the loss of life, of your life. Please take the time right now; not next week, not tomorrow, not even tonight, to assure that your heart is in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don't wait until tomorrow to turn your life around. Don't wait until after this "awesome party" you are looking forward to next week, or the weekend cycling trip you are planning, or even until after you go to bed. You never know if you will see tomorrow, so tomorrow is too late. Please make a personal commitment to follow the Lord NOW. Don't take life for granted. Don't waste another second. Live your life like there's no tomorrow. Give glory to the Savior now for the blessings he has granted. Tomorrow might be too late.
I pray each day that this is how I live, that this is how my family lives. Far too often we find ourselves satisfied with where we are in life, and too complacent. We live day to day as if life could never be cut short. We expect to see our children grow, and to see their children grow. My brother left three children under the age of 11. While I have no doubt that he dedicated his life to the Lord, I also have no doubt that he expected to wake up tomorrow to kiss his children again, and the next day. There is no way to prepare for tomorrow other than to prepare your heart for the Lord. I only hope that my life is in order when it is my time. I vow to live like there's no tomorrow, love like I'm on borrowed time. Only He knows when it is my time. I lift my life up to Him.
