I would venture to guess that many of you remember Rich Mullins. If not then you may remember him by his music, he is the Awesome God guy. Anyway, a couple of days ago marked the 10th anniversary of his death. For me, Rich was a major part of my college soundtrack. He ministered to my searching heart in a way that no one else could. For many of us that was a sad day, a day when a Christian visionary left this world to spend eternity with His maker. That day was sad only because he had already given my generation so much hope and challenge through his music and testimony but, we knew he still had so much to give.
Rich managed to see into the past, remind us of what church should look like. Church shouldn’t be a list of do’s and don’ts, he knew it was about living everyday asking God what He wanted from us for that day. He saw the widow, the orphan, and the naked. He sought to clothe, feed, and educate them all. All the while just being unashamedly himself.
Thanks in part to his influence we have seen the 20 -30 somethings begin to seek out that something more that God has for us. Thanks in part to Rich we understand that loving God is giving everything we have, living with one another, and loving each other in spite of our differences. He allowed us to understand that outside of our own “Christian bubbles” there were other men and women who loved Jesus enough to give up home, comfort, and financial security.
Rich Mullins music still rings true and deep in the heart of anyone who seeks to know the Father intimately. In my home we still sit around after Sabbath meals and Gavin plays, Em and I sing, along with the girls, and inevitibly one or more of Rich’s songs ends up in the mix. He was a man who was not concerned with the opinion of man, he sought only to please His God. His music was an overflow from a heart that longed for His home.
Thank you Rich for writing what God put on your heart and for helping to shape the next generation of church leaders and world changers. You helped to light the fire again in so many hearts that had grown cold and dark from the chill of religious rhetoric.
Below is an article written for Relevant Magazine that is a wonderful tribute to a man who affected so many of us. I would venture to guess that Rich had a huge influence on the writers and editors of Relevant as well. Be blessed, and just for fun, pull out an old Rich Mullins album and remind yourself of how he stirred your heart to love God more.
http://relevantmagazine.com/releblog/jason-boyett/remembering-rich-mullins/#comment-699
