25 years ago...

the world lost a modern day John the Baptist. With a hippie, New Age, California background, he was a passionate seeker for truth, who finally found Christ as a young adult. It changed his life and he radically lived his final years trying to do as much as possible for the kingdom. Keith Green was confrontational and controversial, but above all, loved God and wanted others to find the joy and freedom he finally had after years of searching.

When he died suddenly at the age of 28 with his 2 young children and 9 other passengers in a plane crash, I remember being stunned. I was 9 years old, but already deeply in love with music, especially the early contemporary Christian music always on our radio at home. Keith's piano playing had my attention as soon as I'd heard it, and I knew lyrics by heart. When the DJ announced the crash that day, I felt incredible sorrow. No more amazing, piano pounding, convicting songs from this gifted man. Thankfully, we were left a legacy of music from him, that I continue to listen to and play on my own piano to this day.
The timing of this anniversary of Keith's death was especially neat, since this Sunday, our life group at church talked about Enoch, how he was a man "who walked with God", and then "was no more". We pondered what that meant, how he walked with God, and why God took him home. Our discussion led us to bring up other folks like Elijah, and then our own modern day Elijah, Rich Mullins. They all had something in common, from what we do know about their lives - they weren't perfect, but they were passionate about their Creator. I think Keith fits that description too. I even commented in class about the quote I mentioned on here a while back and what I'd pondered at that time. These men were sold out, completely devoted to living for God. Maybe their purity of heart, and focus, caused God to not want to wait to spend every day with them in heaven so he took them home early.

This quote by Keith sums up his motto, "No Compromise."
"No Compromise is what the whole Gospel of Jesus is all about... 'For I tell you...no man can serve two masters...' (Matt. 6:24). In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer...Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!" — Keith Green, No Compromise album, 1978

If that's not purity of heart, and the right kind of single minded focus, I'm not sure what is. I think these men really got it - Enoch's walking with God, Elijah's prophesying while Jezebel hunted him, Rich's ministering to children on an Indian reservation, Keith's giving albums away instead of selling them - they all focused on God and people first, instead of themselves. Their lives were full of sacrifice and service. The earthly outcome? Enoch was "no more" and "was taken away," Elijah was carried off by a chariot of fire, Rich died when his Jeep wrecked, and Keith lost his life when the Cessna crashed. The good news - they all went home to Jesus.

If you're not familiar with the music of Keith Green, there are a few songs on the player here on my blog. Check them out, and see if they convict and stir you, like they do me.