SAM BALLARD
1972-2020
A Man of Paradox
Sam was a man of paradox.
While possessing a great intellect throughout his life, Sam suffered from debilitating mental health issues.
He showed promising academic ability while slowly withdrawing from society.
With difficulty, one carried on a conversation as Sam claimed kingship of the one-word answer.
Sam drew others to him with a disarming countenance because there were no window dressings with him.
Sam happily engaged people while simultaneously remaining reserved.
If you stopped and watched the Divine spark hidden underneath Sam’s humanness, his precious brokenness allowed God to touch the lives of others in need of touching.
As darkness moves towards dawn, Sam slips into the hands of the Eternal while the imprint of his life leaves us pondering the paradox embracing the mystery of God’s grace and love.
God’s light shines brightest in some of the darkest places and the light of Sam’s life testifies to this truth.
GOSPEL MIRRORING
Philippians 2: 5-11
5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
6 Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
7 Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
8 he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.