Oh, how I loved Gene Metzig.  Well not only me, everyone who knew Gene loved him.  In the few short years that I knew Gene, he battled tremendous health issues.  He would often be placed in the hospital with odds against his return home. Time after time, Gene would be right back and church with that great big smile and booming voice.

Gene loved everyone. He especially loved my husband who faced as many health issues as Gene. Whenever we would see Gene at church and begin to inquire about his health, he would turn the attention toward Teddy and his health. He always expressed concern, encouragement and love.

On one occasion when Gene was ill, I sent him a card and included a scripture verse which was Isaiah 41:10.  Later, Gene’s wife Debbie told me that Isaiah 41:10 has become Gene’s life verse. He shared it with everyone. He shared it with the youth he worked with at our church. Some of the youth have adopted Mr. Gene’s life verse as their own life verse even posting it on their FaceBook page.

Gene’s life verse became his verse in death. When Gene realized that his time was short, he made a video which was shown at his memorial service.  In this video, Gene read Isaiah 41:10 which such conviction and shared his life verse for the final time. He wanted to have each of us to find the hope and peace he had found in this life.

I still look for Gene at church. What a personality Gene had. No matter how weak he was, he would greet you and love you with all he had. Several young people spoke at Gene’s memorial service about the impact Gene’s testimony had on them. Gene’s life verse now lives on in the lives of these young men who Gene pointed to the Lord.

Debbie told me that she had framed Isaiah 41:10 for all of her family as a Christmas gift. What greater gift could you leave you family than leaving them a verse that so clearly defines your trust and hope in the Lord?

Do you have a life verse? What verse would you leave as a testimony of your fatih? How can you share your life verse with your family and friends? Can you find ways to share your life verse with someone who may need a word of  hope, comfort or peace?

Gene taught me many things in the brief time that I knew him. He demonstrated the power of loving those around you and being an encourager. He demonstrated how God can use times of trials to open the door for sharing your hope in the Lord. He demonstrated putting concern for someone else’s well being before your own.  He demonstrated the enormous impact we can have on the lives of young people. He demonstrated a faith in his Lord and Savior that would take him to the very end of his life and into eternity.

I hope you will take the Gene Metzig challenge and share your life verse with those in your sphere of influence. If you do not have a life verse, ask the Lord to give you the verse that will hold you in the time of trials you will face and will go with you into eternity. Share it with the boldness of Gene Metzig who left no doubt of where his faith and help came from.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteousness hand.