Yesterday, on April 18, 2023, Dr. Charles Stanley died! One of my dear friends informed me of his passing by text message. Both of us had read many of his books together and were tremendously blessed through them. One such book was The Blessings of Brokenness by Dr. Stanley.
I don’t have an exact recollection of how and when I was introduced to his writings. What I do remember is that the titles of the books claimed my attention, because they spoke to a real need in my life at the time. His books on Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, Eternal Security, and many others were interesting to me. After beginning to peruse the contents of the books and his monthly devotionals, God used them to speak to, challenge, instruct, and inspire me for the rest of my life and ministry. The profound simplicity with which he wrote was food for my soul. I did not need to be fighting my way through the intellectual landmines of complexity. What I needed was the simplicity that went directly to the issues of my heart. Therefore, Dr. Stanley’s writings provided pastoral guidance for the perplexing questions that I was raising. Moreover, it offered a biblical worldview that gave a prism through which a coherent understanding of the temporal and the eternal. Consequently, my relationship with God became clearer, deeper, broader, and more intimate, through Dr. Stanley’s ministry. The providential hand of God was at work through Dr. Stanley’s ministry.
I do recall that it was my discovery of his matriculation at Luther Rice Seminary that piqued my curiosity. I knew nothing about the school. Upon learning of it, however, the Holy Spirit led me to enroll and graduate as a doctoral student. My thinking was that, if it was good enough for Charles Stanley, it was good enough for me. What I gleaned from that training and experience cannot be calculated by earthly arithmetic. Suffice it to say, it has been one of the most life-changing experiences of my life. Almost on a daily basis, I have an encounter or engage in some reflection, which engenders a tremendous sense of gratitude and appreciation for what God did for me through Luther Rice. Again, God used the life and ministry of Dr. Stanley to provide inspiration and direction.
Although my heart is saddened that Dr. Stanley is no longer with us, I thank God for his continuing influence in my life and ministry. I am also certain that, although he is “absent from the body, Dr. Stanley is now present with the Lord!
