Tonight, I experienced a strange sort of events. While attending the “Collision Tour” with David Crowder, Shane & Shane and Robbie Seay, each band, at some point during their set, mentioned that they had lost a dear friend today. It was unexpected and quite frankly, took them all by surprise. Personally, this didn’t have much affect on me except that I was sorry for their loss and knew it must be tough for them to go on. But my own questions came: Who was this person? Did they really know him/her well or was this person just an acquaintance? The music kept going and so did my enjoyment. I lost my sensitivity of the death to the rhythmic chants of some the most amazing worship leaders of our time. I had forgotten about the tragedy of the day until I heard David Crowder say, “I guess this is just a small piece of Kyle’s legacy…” WHAT! Kyle. Surely not the Kyle that I know. Surely not the Kyle that I conversed with just last week. Surely not that Kyle.

Thoughts, concerns, more questions all shot through my head in a moment. Suddenly nothing about Amazing Grace could capture my attention. I was too concerned…too focused on my connection to this man…to this death. And now what? I didn’t know. I found myself agitated by the slightest insensitiveness from the people around me. I still didn’t know for sure, but it was a 99% chance that this man was our friend and Relevant Books author, Kyle Lake. Pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, TX. Home of the David Crowder Band.

And now you see the connection.

Life come and life goes. The hard part is trying to figure out when you’re time’s up. Some people get the honor and pleasure of living a full life. They know when their time is up because they’re awake to take their final breath. Some lives are cut short with no warning. It catches us all off guard. The strange part is, somehow we all feel a little invincible from His timing. Yeah, His timing.

Although the life and legacy that Kyle Lake brought to this world will never be forgotten, you can’t help but ask the question, why him? Why a pastor of growing church with a wife and three young children? It’s seems unfair…even a mistake. I wouldn’t think that God would choose someone like him now—but He did. I don’t get it, but He did.

For those who have gone through these trials, I applaud you for coming out stronger on the other side. For those who are going through this now, embrace the process and feel the pain of your loss. For me, I’ll go through my process…somewhat pensive, contemplative and asking questions. But the one question I can’t seem to get off my mind is this:

What would I do today if I knew that it would all end tomorrow?