Clyde Cook
I wrote these words from one of my favorite places on earth—Cannon Beach, Oregon. Judy and I had walked the beach one morning with heavy hearts. One of the most important men in our lives—Dr. Clyde Cook, President Emeritus of Biola University—had died suddenly.
The breathtaking beauty of Cannon Beach and its spectacular Haystack Rock seemed a fitting backdrop to our prayers for Clyde’s beloved Anna Belle and their children. Clyde Cook was one of those Christians whose dedication to the Lord Jesus made him larger than life.
As we neared the majestic 235-foot tall monolith filled with nesting seabirds, I thought about the moment of Clyde’s transition from his life here on earth to his forever life in heaven. Dr. Cook was 73 years old when God called him to his home in heaven where he will now spend eternity.
73 years here, forever there.
73 years of faithful service here, forever years of rewarded service there.
Living for the Rock!
Standing in the shadow of that great rock, I picked up a pebble from the sand and compared the two. The pebble is small; it fit in my hand. Haystack Rock is enormous, its dimensions almost beyond my comprehension.
For my friend and mentor, Clyde Cook, the pebble represents his whole life here on earth—73 years.
The great rock corresponds to the life he passed into last Friday evening—His eternity with the Lord Jesus.
And though my heart is sad and I will miss this great man of God, I smile when I think of his coming reward. The Lord Jesus Christ promises to reward His faithful followers, and few have been more faithful to their Savior than Clyde Cook.
Dr. Cook was more preoccupied with the world to come than he was with this world. He knew that His few years here on earth were his opportunity to invest in his heavenly reward.
He lived for the rock, not the pebble.
I’m asking God to use this dear saint’s tremendous example to move me to live for the world to come. Will you join me? I promise you we will never regret it.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward will be great in heaven!” Jesus Christ, Luke 6:23
