“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:2– (NIV)
While many struggle with the age-old dilemma of life’s futility, Joe and his wife Linda spend their moments under the sun glorifying the Lord. As Joe greets guests at Gateway Church with a harmonic melody, children gather around him to play along and bring people joy.
Meaningful, meaningful is every breath Joe takes. Years ago, Joe’s doctor told him, “You have three to five years to live, and you’ll be on oxygen the rest of your life. Because of your lung disease, your breathing will never improve, and a lung transplant isn’t an option.”
“I couldn’t breathe—even with oxygen,” shared Joe. “When I got out of bed, I took my oxygen tank with me, but my oxygen level would still drop. It was scary! But then I remembered, I’ve got God!”
Looking for encouragement, Joe watched a show about Phil Drisoll, a Christian musician who had also struggled with Covid and pneumonia. I have no excuse, Joe thought. If Phil Driscoll can play his trumpet again, I can play my harmonica.
Joe began asking God for healing, and God has been faithful. “For the first time in five years, I’m taking a deep breath without coughing," shared Joe. "My pulmonologist is so impressed that she said, ‘Don’t bother coming back for a year.’ We serve a mighty God!”
Joe and Linda stay busy serving others at the Prosper Campus and in their community. These faithful servants run a non-profit called Action for the Lonely—connecting and comforting shut-ins and home care residents. They deliver gifts and words of encouragement on holidays, birthdays, and just-because days. Linda shared, “I always get more than what I give.” The couple doesn’t strive for wealth or fame. They know their Father created them for more.
We're all created for what's beyond the sun: relationship with God and meaningful lives that glorify Him. Everything we do has purpose—whether it’s delivering a birthday cake, greeting guests at church, or playing a harmonica with children.
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