His Most Important Performance Ever?

One by one they came to pay their respect to a man who had touched the lives of every last one of them. Hundreds would stand in that line throughout the course of the night. People from all walks of life, young and old alike. The line was never-ending. From the time we arrived until the time we left, people were standing in line to hug his dear wife and son. As the night grew later, the line simply increased as people just kept coming.

I've know Mike Freund for years. Several decades actually. Although the road we traveled took us different directions in recent years, I've always considered Mike a friend. I've only seen him a few times in the last several years, but he was the kind of man who would just pick up the conversation from where you left off the last time. He never burned bridges. He didn't have an offensive personality and he was really unoffendable. I can honestly say that I cannot remember a time I heard him speak critically of anyone. He's the kind of guy you wish you could be like.

I watched him honor his wife Linda over the years. I never witnessed him speaking harshly to her or demeaning her in any way. I never saw him act in a way that dishonored her in public. He genuinely loved her and his actions proved that. As with all couples, life threw them some curve balls but they weathered all that life threw at them. I remember when I first met them, I thought they were a cute couple. As I grew to know them I realized they were a great couple.

Mike spent his life investing in what really matters most...people. As a band director for area schools, thousands of students were impacted by him over the years. Naturally, music was a major part of his mentorship, but don't think for a minute students just learned how to play an instrument better under his leadership. His personality was such that it oozed with the love of God. You couldn't be around Mike without feeling that he actually cared about you. His smile was contagious and he had a way of knowing when you needed to be encouraged. He was a man who showed up everyday for work, not because of the paycheck, but because of the students. He loved doing what he did. He loved pouring into the lives of the next generation. And for 39 years, he did just that.

Of all the people I saw standing in line, I knew only a handful. I sat there amazed at how one life can touch so many. Family members along with current friends, friends from years past, co-workers, and students from the past 39 years stood in that line telling stories of how he impacted their lives. Stories of how his involvement in their lives made their lives better. Everyone has those people in life that make a positive impact on them and Mike was one of those guys for me personally.

I was floored when his son David told me of Mike going home to be with the Lord. I didn't want to believe it. My heart hurt that day. I know that Mike is in a better place. He loves Jesus, but more importantly, Jesus loves Mike. It is because of that relationship that Mike is with the Lord today. I'm not sure if he's got a director's baton in his hand or a trumpet right now. I do know that music is a big part of the place he now calls home.

For those who knew Mike, I want to encourage you with something Mike knew to be true:

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thess. 4:13-18 NKJV)

We will see him again. For believers, moments like these are never "goodbye" but "see ya later." As I read this promise made to us in Scripture there appears to be some type of trumpet solo that's a part of this earth shaking event. I cannot be certain, but who knows perhaps there's somebody we all know warming up his chops for his most important performance ever?

Author: Tim Stone

Tim is the lead pastor at Westlake Fellowship in Montgomery, Texas. If you live in the area, join us Sunday mornings at 10:30 am at 19786 Hwy 105 Suite 120 in Montgomery (beside Magnolia Diner).

www.westlakefellowship.org