I recently watched a PBS special about the life of the great jazz musician John Coltrane. One jazz critic who was interviewed described the effect of his music by saying, “It was if he was filled with heaven, and everywhere he went or played, he left bits of heaven behind him.” I was struck by the statement and became lost in thought; after a while, I discovered that a good portion of the show had gone by without my knowing. Fortunately, I was watching a recorded version and could replay what I had missed.

What had struck me, is that it was a poignant way of describing how we should live our Christian lives. Have you known such Christians? I have, and I remembered several of them as I sat there that day. In each case they were not aggressive proselytizers; rather, they followed the advice of St. Francis who said, “Preach the Gospel every day, sometimes with words.” The show also brought to mind the song lyrics “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

The imagery of leaving behind bits of heaven is not in the Bible, but the sentiment is expressed in several places. For example, the song lyrics quoted above are based on John 13:35. Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our light shine, and in Romans 1:12 we are urged to encourage each other by our faith. In Romans 10:15 Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7, which reads, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,`Your God reigns!’“

The lives of Christians who leave bits of heaven behind and the promise of such cheerful verses can help you to remember that God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim