At the Carol service Christmas Eve 2008, Mark Ashton, our vicar, shared that he had been given not more than a year to live as a result of a diagnosis of cancer. The manner in which he spoke, so assured of God's enabling grace, made the Christmas message live in a vital way. That he turned this news to glorify God, was the mark of his life.
There was never any doubt that he sought to please God in every part of his life and he seemed often amazed that God had chosen to save him.
The following 15 months he allowed us to accompany him as he approached death, sharing his feelings, thoughts and concerns for his family and congregation. Years ago he said that St Andrews the Great was there to bring the light of Christ's salvation to the people of Cambridge. He was part of that light in his preaching and example. His humility was striking, even seen in his bearing and attitude to others.
Two services stand out in my mind as he preached with his eye on the closing months of his life. He said that daily he sought more and more to walk so as not to grieve God, particularly in his relationships. This is a mark of a godly man and not often seen. One of his final sermons was calling us to talk more and more about one thing only, Jesus Christ and His redemption. We were highly privileged to be able to share his insights.
He also prepared the service that would be held to give God thanks for his life. The tone was set in singing the first hymn - 'And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour's death..' This summed Mark up as I remember him. If anyone wondered what Christ was like, he had only to look at Mark's life.
It seemed to me that we took leave of Mark at the Gates of Heaven, catching a glimpse of the true life Mark now enjoyed. God's goodness made known in Mark, suffused us as we sang, prayed and spoke of him and his Saviour. Thankfulness and joy walk hand in hand and God gave us a taste of this, promised by Jesus who gave Himself so that our joy can be full. For us it was a foretaste of joy to come.
It was a unique, God-honouring occasion.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
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