This goes out to ALL my brothers,
Thank your for times shared and times to come. The aches we warred
through, and the smiles we celebrated. For the life-long memories, and
the dreams we have yet to chase. Most of all for showing me who Jesus
really is, and what it’s like to follow him as a Man of God.
There is a special bond that only happens between brothers. I’m
actually tearing up as I think of mine. I miss them, I love them. I
can’t wait to spend the next month of world race with ALL men, no
women. That’s why I want to shout out to them and say thanks. I never
stop thanking God for you, or grinning ear to ear when I think about
you.
David, King of Israel, displays my favorite example of brotherhood. He
was a passionate leader and ended up having an amazing band of
brothers with him. They helped battle physically and spiritually with
him. 30 of the top warriors in Israel walked alongside David,
encouraging him in God with their words and outrageous actions for
God. These 30 rockstars, correctly termed “David’s Mighty Men” were
David’s best friends and loyal community. They cried with him in hard
times and cheered with him in victories. (2 Samuel 23:8-39)
David didn’t start out with 30 brothers. He started with one awesome
brother, Jonathan, Prince of Israel, in line of the thrown David would
eventually rule. Jonathan didn’t mind, he gladly played second fiddle
so David and ultimately God would receive glory. Jonathan was the most
humble, loyal, brave, encouraging brother David would ever have. He
died in battle, but first taught David what true brotherhood was like.
Read what David wrote of him in lament of his death.
“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you
been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of
women.” (2 Samuel 1:26[1])
Wow. How could David have more love from brothers than women? He had
enough awesome wives for multiple men, but still valued his brothers
love more. I never understood this until I too experienced true
brotherhood in tremendous depth.
I really think God has created a special bond, a love that can only
be experienced between brothers. Similar to marriage, this too also
reflects His love for us. For while we may be fortunate enough to have
one great godly wife, we get an army of awesome brothers 🙂 Without
wasting more time, I want to brag on my brothers. Starting with my
Jonathan, on to those who now walk along side me as mighty men.
I’m blessed, overwhelmed even, to be able to mention these names.
My Dad Jordon. Though he passed away when I was nine, the days I got
to spend with him were the best. He showed me Jesus everyday through
his incredible zest for life and love for people. I look up to him and
am more proud of him than any other person on earth. I am so thankful
for the band of brothers who encouraged him, and pointed him to Christ
so he could lead and pour into me. Love and miss you always Dad.
My brother Luke. He is my favorite guy. If I had to spend one day with
one man it would be him. Always. Considering that, thank God we lived
and grew up together : ). I’m so blessed to have a brother who
represents MacLean’s with the best of them. He is the funniest and
best looking dude I know. His notes of love and encouragement to me
are always saved and cherished. They keep me going for months at a
time. I reread them often. I pray for him everyday. He is tattooed on
my heart for life (Brotherly Love 5-20-93). Like Jonathan, Luke, thank
you for being my best man. I love you more than life itself.
My MacLean cousins Scott, Steve and Sean. I am lucky to call you my
cousins. I have looked up to you and looked forward to hanging with
you more than any other set of brothers. You three love each other so
deeply. Every visit to Buffalo is a joy. Thank you for always loving
Luke and I. Thank you for demonstrating and teaching us what it means
to wear MacLean on the back of our jerseys. Thank you for inspiring me
to chase dreams that make me who I am today. Scott, for always
treating me as if I am your little brother, for sitting down and
having a deep-funny convos with me when I visit, without fail. Steve
for being one of the most hilarious humans on earth, and never giving
up on life. Sean, for treating me like your best friend, for taking me
under your wing and letting me hang around even when I was annoying,
you have been my biggest role model since my dad died. I will always
remember playing sports in your basement, going to your concerts,
never sleeping just to play video games, watching movies I wasn’t
supposed to, eating the best junk food, meeting your endless supply of
girlfriends and constantly having a blast. Lastly, thank you for
installing an unshakable confidence within me and for squeezing every
bit of life out of each day. I love you guys, you are the topic of my
prayers often.
My best buddy Riemer. My gosh what a crazy cool kid. He is the
smartest and quirkiest friend I have. He comes over just to use my
shower, sleep in my bed, talk till 4 am[2] and eat my cereal. We have
been brothers since 3 years old when our pops were partners and I
couldn’t pronounce his name. Riemer always pushes me toward Jesus with
a level head. In addition, he makes life more colorful than I thought
possible in a world already painted beautifully. Riemer, change the
world. I can’t wait to watch. Love you! (PS join me at MSUCOM!)
My roommates for life, Jason and Josh. What a trio 🙂 the likes of
which the world has never seen and never will again. I never shut up
about you guys. Michigan State shook the day we walked on campus, and
it is permanently dented from the handprints we left. The Spartan
emblem on the Breslin floor kissed back the day we kissed it as
seniors for our last game, mutual love. We were the only kids who
walked into frats, clubs and parties for the fun experience…without
experiencing anything everyone else was, like drinking, drugs and
taking women home with us. Thank you for cheering ’til you lost your
voice at games with me, having loft chats with me, pulling pranks with
me and loving Jesus with me. Thank you Jason for always laughing and
bringing new meaning to enjoying life and not studying, while
“climbing on board” to prevent me from studying too much too. Thank
you Josh for your deep wisdom and reverence for God, memory-making
ideas and dashing good looks, I’m pretty sure Jason and I were
introduced to lots of girls just because of you. There is no other
guys I’d rather be roommates with for life, get 3M to build me a bed
in Minneapolis so I can visit soon. Even tho you guys are making
millions, and I’m definitely not, the next round of beers is on me.
REP473.
To Johnny and J.J.. Thank you for being my biggest spiritual peer
influencers. I have learned so so much from you both. Thanks for
leading lots of men toward Jesus in Brody with me 🙂 Johnny, thank you
for listening to every weird and redundant question I’ve ever had
about God and girls from when we were in Africa through today. We’re
the perfect balance. Your the wisest Christian I know, have given me
the very best advice, and have been my most loyal friend. J.J., I have
grown to love you even while being over seas. Thank you for your
great-simple-humbleness paired with unreal-passionate-boldness. You’re
never distracted by stupid stuff, just eyes on Jesus. Thank you both
for loving Jesus and MSU as much as me. Love you both, keep killing it
for Jesus where you’re at.
To “the Legend” Brian and his Action Group. Two awesome years of the
best brotherhood I’ll ever experience. Thank you to Brian who has
discipled me for two years not just with his words, but his life.
Thank you for filling a greatly needed “Dad” role for the guys and me
at college and beyond. Thank you for opening up your house on mondays
so we could eat the best food, tastiest deserts, and learn about God’s
kingdom. We became disciples of Jesus Christ in your house. Thank you
to the guys (Phil, AJ, Robbie, Jeremy, Dave, Peter, Richie, Johnny,
J.J., Isaac, Norris, Drew) for calling me up and out to be a follower
of Jesus, for being vulnerable, passionate, and loving. Together, we
are the body of Christ. I miss you all, I wish I could be there so you
could see my huge smile as I write this and to receive the huge hugs
I’d give you. Love you tons!
To David “Crocket” Zuidema, I get such an adrenaline rush every time I
see you! My soul leaps because I love you so much man. Thanks for
drippin’ with awesomeness and doing life right-side-up while everyone
else does it upside-down, I’ve learned so much about life from you. I
enjoii you tons. Thanks for slaughtering chickens with me, best job
ever! We’ll get those brews soon, miss you man!
To my other brothers from grade school through to college. There are
too many of you to write individual paragraphs about. But man I miss
y’all. I’ll mention a few. To Steve Reddy for super gluing lockers
with me and other shenanigans, I will always love you man. To Matt and
Cody holdin’ down the Cadillac crew with me. To NMC guys. Thank you
for sitting in class, riding the bus, playing sports, building forts
at recess, showing me how to be a farmer and a country kid and for
laughing with me. To the MSU men above me and the starting 5 plus some
below. Thank you for inspiring me in Jesus, and truly loving me back
every time we see each other. No one chases after brotherhood more
than you do. To the now seniors and young guys at MSU. Keep making a
huge impact. If I was there I’d give you a huge hug too. Make sure you
bring a younger guy along everywhere you go. Teach him how to follow
Jesus and love life with your words and actions. Don’t be inwardly
focused, love BIG outwardly. Soak up college life as much as possible.
AND… When some one yells GO GREEN! Always yell GO WHITE!
To my wise men. (Mr. DeKryger, Mr. Whitley, all the promise keepers,
Uncle Craig, Uncle Art, Uncle Jim, Doc Tinning, Dr. Stringer, Mr.
VanNoord, Pastor Keith, Jair, all my male teachers and coaches) The
men in my life who have already gone through what I’m going through
make all the difference. I wish I could write a paragraph for each of
you, you deserve it. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for being a
father figure to me, for always pulling for me to be successful and
for guiding me on the way to Jesus. It’s your love, sometimes through
unthinkable situations, that has allowed me to be healthy and thrive
with Jesus. Thank you for stepping up and showing me what a Man of God
is.
Lastly, to my World Race brothers. Thank you guys for saying yes to
world race. I have loved living every second of three months next to
you in foreign countries. Life’s not all easy on the race, thank you
for taking those hard moments and turning them into growing moments
for me. Nate, thank you for truly being a “servant” leader (I’ve never
seen leadership like yours demonstrated before), for your
intentionality, your big heart, marine biology lessons, ukulele jams,
travel wardrobe, adventurous life and our construction convos. James,
thank you for growing me toward Jesus more than anyone on this trip,
most people remind me of parts of Jesus I have already seen, you show
me parts of Jesus I’ve never seen. Also, thank you for great talks,
your heart for Willder, “Mr. Daily”, and for making me cry when we
work out. Love you both loads. To the rest of the crew (Jonathan,
Derek, Ross, Mike, Heath, Ken, Clay, Andrew and Zack), I’m PUMPED for
Man-istry month with you! What better way to do it then on an island
in the Philippines. You guys have been individual superstars for this
squad, even when no one is watching. Thank you for having awesome
attitudes, passionate hearts and quick smiles. Most of all, thank you
for chasing Jesus with me while we’re on this wild adventure called
life.
(Depending on what time zone you’re in) Good morning to all my mighty
men, and in case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and
good night!
Love ya bro,
Jake
