This week has proved to be a little more difficult than I would have hoped for. Here’s why.
As some of you know, most of you don’t. I used to run a Youth Ministry in a small town in Vinita, OK. I had to amazing opportunity to help mold young peoples minds, bring them to a better understanding of themselves, the world around them and Jesus Christ. Probably the best experiences of my life happened during my time at that church.
One of those experiences was in meeting a young kid, later I’d get to call him a young man and eventually… friend. Ethan Clark Myers, a vibrantly hyper kid, was the life of the room one minute and the bane of my existence the next. He had an amazing wit that could bring a smile to everyone’s life, but as many found out, that same wit could cut you to the core.
Ethan knew how to needle and prod his way into trouble faster than any person that I’ve ever met. He always seemed to call and need help at the most inconvenient time. And, conveniently, had the most amazing insights into his life and his life in Jesus. I’m not sure what had more strength his stubborn side, his actual muscles, his brain (Ethan was really smart) or his love for people. Whatever it was, Ethan was strong.
As a worship leader, I have had many opportunities to stand in front of people and watch their reactions when they drew close to the Lord. And I have never had a better feeling than the day I watch Ethan accept Christ into his heart. And I’m not talking about the typical, Kumbaya, lovy-dovy, Jesus Loves me this I know stuff. I’m talking about when I saw Ethan listen to the words of the song, tears rolling down his face, as he literally got down on his hands and knees in front of God, and repent from all his sins. Ethan, at that moment in time, was even stronger, he wasn’t going through life alone anymore.
Ethan did feel alone many times in his life. He didn’t always have it easy. His family life caused him lots of heartache, and at times drove him to do things, well that I wish he didn’t do. He had deep pains, and deep hurt. In many ways Ethan’s strengths came directly from those pains. He got to points in his life that he felt stronger than what he actually was. He, however, was fortunate enough to know that when he screwed up again he had people that would be there for him.
Ethan had a thousand friends. I can point to his Facebook page, he literally had over a thousand friends. 1097 to be exact. And I’ll bet that just about any of those people would drop everything they had going if Ethan needed them. And the same goes for him. He was, at least in my experience, always present, and always had a hand available for help.
And I think that’s what brought him to my youth group. He knew that people would be able to rely on him, and that he could in turn rely on them. At one low point in his life, I got a call from a random kid, the kid told me that Ethan was half naked and was laying in the middle of the street. When I showed up he was drunk and in horrible shape. After a long night of baby-sitting, my brother and I were able to see Ethan come around, and instantly regret, his actions. Not just because of the massive hangover he had.
That morning, Ethan renewed his walk with God. And later that night is when I saw him react to the Holy Spirit, he got down on his knees, and turned over all his pain. He was able to admit that he was weak, but with Jesus by his side, he could go through life.
In closing here, Ethan was referred to, many times, as the dumbest smart guy. And I’ll carry that forward, Ethan had a really dumb streak, he would do some of the dumbest things. He thought that his strength would always get him through everything he faced. He even thought he was impenetrable at times, as so many foolish young men do.
Just the other day Ethan got behind the wheel. He had too many drinks, and was drunk. Ethan missed a turn and ran off the road. The car flipped 3 times, was stopped by a tree, and the car caught fire. The fire, killed this soon to turn 20 year old.
Ethan was loved, I loved Ethan so much, as did many people. But now I rejoice in the fact that Ethan loved and was loved by God. We know that right now Ethan is in heaven, and although we miss him, we can all rejoice in that too.
We miss you Ethan.
