“i feel like a prize”
February 27, 2008 – 10:01 amPrecious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. –Psalm 116:15
Christian music icon Larry Norman passed away on Sunday. Larry was a cultural phenomenon who left an outsized impact on many people. His unconventional mind left an indelible mark on me, mainly because of his influence on my father. My dad picked up (and performed) many of Larry’s songs, and many of his quotes became part of our family’s standard lexicography.
When I first heard about Larry’s death, I heard, but I didn’t hear. I was waking up, and the radio told me the news. But it was only when they announced it a second time during my drive to work that I really heard.
Whoever said there are no violins in real life has never seen the conclusion of a beautiful life like Larry’s. The death of a saint is a powerful thing which can reach those who knew him in life in ways that little else can. It has been my privilege to see this happen a few times in my lifetime. When the beloved goes home, it is the conclusion of a promise; God never takes without giving even more abundant gifts. The picture of a life well-lived in love with God and with others leaves more than an inspiring example. It leaves us hope and comfort because we are not forsaken, and our end is better than where we began.
I never heard of Larry saying anything trite, or even remotely conventional. His faith was unflinchingly honest, and thus it benefited me more. The day before he died he posted a message on his website which was classically Larry Norman:
I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up.
He was only visiting this planet, but what a good visit it was.
One Response to ““i feel like a prize””
I don’t believe in miracles. But Larry is looking at the unidentified flying object and wishes more than ever that we could all be ready. Mostly he’s singing that sweet, sweet song of salvation with no lisp (not that he ever had one). He knows more than ever how puny the guy with the six sixty-six actually looks and how seriously defeated he is. Now Larry’s thinking how good it is that he got to be a soul survivor (and gave the name to a whole movement in the UK).
I recently paraphrased Larry in a mass e-mail. Instead of “A song can’t stop the world…,” it was “A blog can’t stop the world…but it might stop you.” I don’t know how much of my head is made up of Larry’s phrases and street level insights into God’s love for us, but it’s a big percentage. Makes me think I oughta do more looking in the mouth of love and find the wisdom tooth.
By Daniel Helbling on Feb 27, 2008