%20-%20Copy.png)
Recently, I watched a sobering short interview with a man named Charles Lowe. Although not a well-known figure, Charles became close friends with the famous martial arts fighter Bruce Lee. As Bruce’s cameraman, Charles and Bruce spent a lot of time together and quickly became good friends. Being a Christian, Charles would often invite Bruce to church, but each time, Bruce would make an excuse for why he couldn’t go. Charles remembers Bruce once telling him, “Right now, I’m too young and too busy for church, but when I’m older and richer, I promise, I’ll go.”
Bruce Lee is regarded as one of the greatest martial arts fighters in modern history. Though he quickly rose to global fame, it’s ironic that he never lived long enough to fully experience the extent of his celebrity status. In his pursuit of fame, Bruce became increasingly entangled in the entertainment industry's seductive grasp. Ultimately, he succumbed to the destructive lifestyle of drug addiction and infidelity and on July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee was found dead in his mistress’s apartment, far from his wife and children. What a tragic end for such a talented young man.
As Jesus reminds us in Luke 9:25: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Yesterday, as I watched those wonderful men of God go through the waters of baptism, I mentioned in my message that it takes a “real man” to choose to serve Jesus. It doesn’t take much will power to follow the world’s enticing glitter, but choosing to be a follower of Jesus? Well, that’s a completely different level of commitment altogether. To go against the current of the world and say, “I am going to follow God’s will for my life,” is never easy, but in the end, it is the most important decision anyone could ever make!
Just a short time before his death, Bruce and Charles were driving in a taxi when Bruce said to Charles, “You are the closest friend I have, and you never ask me to go to nightclubs or bars.” Charles lived out his faith daily. He didn’t talk like the world, he didn’t go to the places the world went, he simply lived out his faith and loved others as Jesus did.
As we as believers live in our world, people will continually be watching to see how real our faith is. May I encourage you to make it your vow every day that, “Today, I am going to be Jesus’ light to others. They will know that Jesus lives because they see Him in me.”
When it comes to this story of Charles Lowe and Bruce Lee, many people even today know the name “Bruce Lee,” but how many could tell you who Charles Lowe is? I can tell you of one person who knows Charles, and his name is Jesus, and the truth is, that’s really all that matters.
Have a wonderful week and we’ll see you Sunday!