It was 1998. My Senior Year at Scarlet Oaks CDC. I was preparing for graduation and my career plans that would soon follow.
At the time, I was an avid reader of True Crime books. Books about the mafia, big time drug lords, and "smart" gangsters like Meyer Lansky. I read all kinds of books, but this particular genre was my favorite. I was amazed by the accomplishments, leadership, and structured discipline of organized crime.
On one of my frequent visits to my aunt and uncle's house, who I believe was working for at the time as a co-op before graduation, I was given this book from my aunt called, "Becoming A Leader", by a guy named Myles Munroe. She spoke very highly of the author, and said he was a great speaker also.
The title peaked my interest, I mean, who doesn't want to to be a leader right? I ended up reading the entire book in like 3 hours. I loved the book. It made a lot of sense and was easy for my, "high school mind" to understand.
I liked the book so much that I had two of my closest friends read it, and gave it to another person to read. I would never forget this book as years passed on.
Fast forward like 6 years. I had become heavily involved in my church teaching bible studies, leading youth ministries, and serving on the church board. As I began to study the bible, Christianity, and how it relates to "everyday life", I began to ask the question, "is this it"? And as I began to research and study things for myself, I discovered a lot of contradictions and inconsistencies between the knowledge I was receiving from the bible, and "church" and Christianity presented as a religion.
I had discovered something. I had discovered The Kingdom. This began a personal quest. A quest to "unlearn" the lies, ignorance, and religious mindset that I had been taught for years was "right".
I started seeking out preachers and teachers who knew and taught about The Kingdom of God also. Then I came across Dr. Myles Munroe, the author of the book I had read years ago, on TBN. I was captivated. It was like he confirmed everything that I had discovered in my time of research and studying!
He became my mentor from a far. I read just about every book of his I could get my hands on. I watched YouTube videos of his messages for hours, while taking notes intently.
You see, to me, Dr. Myles Munroe was like the Michael Jordan or the Tupac of Spirituality to me. I learned "God's Big Idea" from him.
Yesterday, when I heard that my mentor, my role model, one of my heroes, had died in a tragic accident, the best way I can describe it is, I was, and still am, stunned.
But I remember what he taught me: He said, in one of his messages that I was fortunate to hear in person, very bluntly, "people die everyday, go on". Many people have died so that we can live.
So as I am remembering Dr. Munroe and the many things I have learned from him, I vow to remember him by dying empty and standing on the shoulders of this mighty man of God.
