A man’s life cannot be measured by material possessions or the wealth he accumulates. A man’s life for devotion cannot be measured by the volume of applause he gets for a word spoken, a song sang, money given, or an instrument played. A man’s purpose, when looked back in hindsight, is not measured by miles of roads he’s travelled. But a man’s life is measured in two ways: a life for Jesus and a life serving others in Jesus.
For nearly 25 years I’ve been proud to have known Steve Rodriguez (and his wife Maria, and their kids). My first encounter with him was when I was early saved and it was at his house. He opened it up for me to stay while attending a Bible conference that week. And no matter who preached or the topics ministered, there was another preacher who spoke resoundingly in my life. His (and his wife’s) friendship, encouragement, and service for Jesus was a testimony of a life.
Steve? Did he ever preach behind a pulpit? No. Was he on a conference flier? No. Was he on the platform standing next to Pastor Rubi or others singing songs or assisting? No. So then who was he?
He was a husband to his wife who made sure that she was taken care of and valued. Father to four kids who’ve grown and have moved away to fulfill their lives. Seems the same as many other men until we learn what else he did. He served as an usher in his church, tape (cassette tape, CD, you know older technology back then) ministry, children’s church, drama, etc. In short, God’s purpose and will for him and his wife were always behind the scenes, never the star of the show. And yet, in my personal testimony, I think that his influence is more impactful and felt than lofty words spoken behind a pulpit by a man who we never see or hear from again. It was his steady dedication to serve in obscurity is where he (and his wife) flourished. I may, perhaps, speak too grandiose or highly but I will personally say that some things were successful just because he was there to do his part. He also stood in my wedding as a groomsman as an honor to his friendship to me.
There is a poem by Grady Poulard called The Measure of a Man that goes, “The measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength, or the volume of his voice or the thunder of his actions, or of his intellect or academic abilities. It is seen rather in terms of the love that he has for his family and for everyone; the strength of his commitments; the sincerity of his purpose. The quiet courage of his convictions; the fun, laughter, joy, and happiness he gives to his family and to others; his love of life; his patience and his honesty; and his contentment with what he has.”
And of my friend as I pondered his life in the prayer room before Wednesday evening service in San Antonio after hearing about his passing hours before, two portions of scriptures came resoundingly clear of my dear friend. The first is found in Isaiah 6:1-4, “…I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’ And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.” This glorious event is what my friend saw when He arrived in Heaven: the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up with the concussioning effect of the words, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts”. To be limited by sickness, pain, limitations of life and how to comprehend and process finite matters, and frailty of this mortal coil to have those thunderous words envelope him “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD”…That whatever the Devil threw at him, over. God wins! That whatever bills, set backs, limitations, dreams desired…literally everything melted away. It is as if everything that we hold so dear on earth is shaken away to give way to the awesomeness of our God. What never made sense makes more than perfect sense. Priorities on earth give way to what/who is the priority. And my wonderful friend is experiencing this presence of God.
The second verse of scripture that came to me is found in Hebrews 11:24-27, “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Unfortunately, too many years have passed for me to remember details of his testimony prior to salvation of what he left behind. But I do remember that there was a genuine appreciation and gratitude for what Jesus did in his life. And the one thing I will say is this is that there was no drift in his life. I have been saved for well over 26 years and I have seen some men and women drift in their devotion and dedication to God. But of Steve (and Maria), I’ve never seen any diminishing in their walk. Year after year I saw them still serving, still loving, still giving. My wife passed onto me testimonies of lives who were touched by the Rodriguezs who simply gave of what they had: material or finances, yes. But attached was a love of God to serve. What compelled them to serve for decades to God while others rose and fell or perhaps even drifted? It is found in the last of verse 27, “…for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Steve (and Maria) saw Jesus; they had a personal encounter and revelation for who He is and nothing else would compare.
So what of my dear and wonderful friend whom I love and will miss here on earth? A singular hope. Well over a year ago he shared with me his fight with cancer and what he endured. And out of love for my friend, I prayed two prayers for him. One was for healing and one was the fulfillment of this verse of scripture that I claimed and still claim as a testimony of my friend. A dear friend of Jesus named Lazarus was deathly sick. And while no one held hope, Jesus powerfully declared His promise (John 11:4), “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Throughout time, there has remained one cold and patient thief and that is death. Rich or poor, sick or well, young or old, (unless taken in the rapture) death comes to everyone and will come to everyone who has not tasted it yet. I never heard of my friend to complain once—except the pain in the sickness of the chemo itself. He never claimed this sickness as his in any defeated way. And besides his love toward his wife and family and dedication for as much as he could for work, he remained at what he loved to do: serving Jesus Christ faithfully in his church even while sick and in treatment. The Devil thought and attempted to make the sickness unto death. That my friend would be nothing more than a body taken before his time—or so some may think—with nothing with which to say. And yet from beyond the grave, my friend is touching lives to know that there is a hope—a living hope—in Jesus. That steadfastness in Jesus does pay out in the end. And above all else, that Jesus Christ is glorified for those whom Steve loved who turned away from God or never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior may do so…now.