After fighting a rare and aggressive type of leukemia, Josh Ewing was called home to Glory. At 23 years old, Josh was an example of what a young, aspiring, godly man should be like. Almost a year ago to the day, Josh started fighting a battle that ended last night at 6:50p.m. I met and got to know Josh at the Bible Institute where we studied together for 2 years. When I think of godly examples among my peers, I think of Josh. Those who knew him, had no trouble distinguishing Who he lived for. Every area of his life was given to God. Josh was preparing for a life of youth ministry and in fact had already had years of fruitful ministry. In the fall of 2006, Josh proposed to a young lady who had stolen his heart, Jennifer Crago. They seemed to be a match made in heaven. Because of the cancer that ravished his body, the wedding kept getting pushed further and further until death finally brought an end to the dreams of wedded bliss.
To me, Josh was the epitomy of what Paul wrote to Timothy in chapter 4, verse 12, of the first letter written: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Jesus Christ was Lord of every area of Josh’s life. To the best that he knew how, Josh strove to live his life by Biblical principles: in his relationships with his friends, in his love life with Jenn, in his finances, in his ministry. Everything he put his hand to, he did with all his might. He lived for God! Josh had a love for playing soccer hockey, but even these passions became ministry passions, allowing him the opportunity to go overseas on sports short term missions trips. And finally, when it came down to his last year on earth, Josh became an example to those who knew him what it meant to fight perhaps life’s most vicious battle honorably. Never once during his struggle with cancer did Josh ever abandon his faith. For Josh, the dash between July 25, 1984 and January 12, 2008 was brief, but its certainly no contest what he lived his life for: God. It was his singleminded focus and passion. Everything else was just secondary.
I find myself challenged by the life of this good friend… if people looked at my life, would it be easy to see who I live for?
Josh, your pain has ended! Praise God!!! You beat me to heaven, my friend….one day I’ll join you on the golden streets.
How blessed you are to see the face of God tonight! You fought a good fight, a hard fight, a painful fight. Thanks for setting such an example for me. I’ll miss you!!!
