A True Expression of Christ

Last week a man I would consider a good friend died unexpectedly. Rick Horstman was a man whose life was changed dramatically after he was introduced to Jesus Christ. I would say that he was a True Expression of Christ. The main goal of being a follower of Christ is that we would become Christ-like in everything that we do. When Jesus walked on this earth 2000+ years ago, he set the standard of how to live. He showed us what it looks like to love your neighbor as yourself; how to love your enemies; how to have compassion on those less fortunate. Jesus was a servant leader and led by example.

I knew Rick for a decade or so and had the privilege of knowing him on a more personal level as a friend and mentor. He came to Madison with hardly anything to his name. He hooked up with Shane Holden as Shane was just starting Mad City Church. Rick knew Jesus intimately and believed in what the Bible had to say. He had tough times in his life, but he always trusted in Jesus. His faith had no end as far as I could see. Rick would never say that, but his life shouted it as you hung around him. He was always encouraging me to go after my dreams 100%. He asked me countless times, “What have you got to lose? The Lord will take care of ya, go for it!”. I must have told him a hundred times that he was crazy. I knew he wasn’t crazy. . . I just didn’t have the faith to take that leap. Rick was a great inspiration in that respect. He knew that he knew that he knew, no matter what he did, the Lord would see him through. Circumstances did not matter, only that you keep your eyes on Jesus.

It is hard to write about someone knowing that you won’t get to enjoy hanging out with them anymore, at least not until the return of Jesus or your own death. But Rick Horstman’s life is one that needs to be shared, even after his death. His life plan was simple, love Jesus and seek first His kingdom, and then go for it. “It” being whatever passion the Lord has placed inside of you, go for it. Jesus loves us without end or boundaries. His love should inspire us to live life to the max, because we know that we are loved right where we are.

That is the beauty of Jesus and His pursuit of us. Someone who has been living their life without regard to God or anyone else can suddenly become aware that Jesus laid down His life for them and loves them completely, right where they are in their life. They myth that someone needs to get cleaned up before they can step into a church without getting struck by lightening is so utterly false. The Bible says that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. While we were enemies of God, he sacrificed everything so that we would have the option to know Him. That’s right, Jesus sacrificed himself to give us the option to follow Him. Because of our free will, we can choose to deny Christ or we can choose to embrace Him because of His deep love for us.

I think the best way we can honor Rick’s life is to continue to tell the story of his life, about how Jesus Christ radically changed him and how Faith in Jesus will see you through anything this life can throw at you. It is not a religion, it is a relationship, getting knowing Jesus just like you would get know your own spouse or mother or father. As Rick would say, what have you got to lose? Nothing but the loneliness of this world. Seek out Jesus Christ. . . read the book of John in the Bible. . . go to Mad City Church, Damascus Road Church, Door Creek Church, Lake City Church, High Point Church, Blackhawk Church, or any other Bible preaching church like these. Seek out other men that you can see are “going for it” seeking Jesus. Surround yourself with them and get counsel from the elders and leaders in your church. Get involved in a men’s group, go to a men’s retreat, volunteer time to your community, or coordinate neighborhood cook-outs.

All of these things will help us become like Jesus and help us leave a legacy like what Rick left. Most, if not all, of Rick’s family moved back to the Madison area as the Lord blessed Rick and Rick was able to share Jesus with them all. Because Rick was close to Jesus, being close to Rick felt like you were closer to Jesus. That is the legacy I want to leave. . . .

Rick, I will miss you. . .