Remembrance is Reserved for Martyrdom and the Saints: Jon Henderson

“Martyrs have died for this”. This phrase serves as two constant reminders for me: 1) most of us are too full of ourselves and think we deserve to be remembered for generations to come. 2) there is no excuse to be a lukewarm Christian when people are literally dying for the Kingdom of Heaven. 

This phrase has stuck with me since hearing it a little over a year ago while on a winter staff retreat during my time as an intern at the Wesley. We were getting settled into our cabin on Roan Mountain after spending a few days at St. Meinrad’s monastery. After we unpacked our things and started a fire, we were visited by Ryan’s (the director of the Wesley) friends who lived nearby. While we discussed our time spent at the monastery and the dedication it takes for one to become a monk, Ryan’s friend Ben had exclaimed in response to something someone said with “This is the most serious thing, I mean, martyrs have freaking died for this!” Ben saying this and the conversations we had at St. Meinrad’s with a monk named Father Noel about how he was somewhat sad because he wanted to be a martyr when he was a missionary in South America kept swirling in my head as I took in the beautiful sights of Roan Mountain, TN.

One day while on the mountain, I decided to stay at the cabin as some of the staff went on a hike. While I was hoping to enjoy some reading originally, my brain wouldn’t let me travel far from an internal conflict that had bubbled up. Growing up, I had this deep obsession with being a SOMEBODY. I was going to be important and everyone would know who I was and talk about me for a long time. Now, I had been speaking to monks who were willing to die for their faith and if they didn’t end up being a martyr, then they would die in obscurity in the eyes of the world. And they were okay with that - to mostly only be remembered by their community within the monastery. 

I couldn’t escape this thought because everywhere we look we see reminders of people who, honestly, shouldn’t be the focus of our attention and (as harsh as this sounds and I mean this with no hate or malice) probably shouldn’t be remembered as much as they are. Plaques and the need to put someone’s name on everything is driving me crazy. This is a constant sight for those of us who work at Louisiana Tech. I am bombarded with names slapped on every wall, room, and table. I feel that we have taken this too far. I think we should all stop to ask ourselves if we think we are important enough that our name needs to put on things. Unless we have done something great for the faith, much like the martyrs and saints have, I don’t think we should be remembered. Now as I say this, of course our families, loved ones, and the communities we are a part of will remember us. But more than people remembering ME, I want people to instead remember the ways GOD loved me, the ways people saw GOD working in my life and the way GOD used a vessel to continue and better His Kingdom. I don’t think I was born to be remembered. I’m not a pastor, a theologian, or have the most profound thoughts and revelations about the Word. I don’t think I am meant to be remembered like the saints and martyrs. I say this and am at peace knowing that even if I’m not remembered, God will be. Not only will God be remembered, but he remembers me and all that I am.

So if we aren’t to be remembered then what do we have to lose? We must take our faith seriously and tend to the needs of the Kingdom of God with urgency. If martyrs and saints can give up their lives over their faith, then we can do the things God has asked us to do without having to worry about being remembered on this earthly world. We can humbly give ourselves to our communities. We have the opportunity to pour into and feed others without having to be the point of focus. We cannot continue to make excuses for us to remain lukewarm because like Ben beautifully said “MARTYRS HAVE FREAKING DIED FOR THIS!!

Jon (pictured here with wife, Chlese) is a treasure to our Wesley community. A faithful friend, servant, and jokester, his kindness and dedication to whatever he does has been an encouragement to countless individuals who have come through our doors. His service as a Missionary Intern was a blessing not just to the Wesley, but to the entire Body of Christ. We are forever grateful for him!