“It is appointed unto men once to die.” —Apostle Paul
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” —Mahatma Gandhi
On February 17, 2021, one of earth’s greatest talents, on loan from God, returned to the Creator to give an account of the things done in his body. Rush Limbaugh is dead.
Millions in America, and around the world shall mourn his departure for a long time to come. For more than thirty-two years, the name of Rush Limbaugh was known in every corner of the world. My daughter summarized the feelings of so many when she said, “Rush is the only person I have ever loved, and never met.”
Despite not having ever seen, or met Rush in person, there are countless people who would immediately recognize the bumper music that introduced his program, and his melodious voice.
As individuals reflect upon the life of Rush Limbaugh, the following should be kept in mind.
Do not forget that death comes for all. In Genesis 5, there is a recurring phrase: “and he died.” Adam was the first created man on earth, and he died. Methuselah lived to be 969 years of age, and he died. Moses was one hundred and twenty, and he died. Alexander the Great, a conqueror of the world, was only 32 years of age, and he died. Born on January 12, 1951, Rush Limbaugh lived to be 70 years old, and he died. The lesson to be learned is straightforward: prepare to die. It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
Consider the brevity of time on earth. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Sometimes, life can feel endless. Time weighs heavily on our minds. Suddenly, it is over. Because of the brevity of life, time should be redeemed, and not squandered. “
So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Embrace the difficulties of life. Despite his fame and fortune, Rush Limbaugh knew great tragedy in life. Three of his four marriages ended in divorce. He did not have any children to enjoy. In 2001, Rush announced he had lost most of his hearing as a result of a rare condition called autoimmune inner ear disease. In 2003, the National Inquirer revealed that Rush Limbaugh was under investigation for obtaining the prescription drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone illegally. He entered treatment for 30 days.
On his 69th birthday, January 12, 2020, Rush realized something was seriously wrong with his health. He had begun to experience shortness of breath. He thought it was asthma. He was wrong. The doctors confirmed Rush had advanced lung cancer. It proved to be terminal.
To these physical problems was the public slander and hatred of a Liberal media. As a Conservative, Rush had to endure vile and abusive treatment. Through it all, Rush never wavered. He never expressed sorrow for himself. He did not make any of his programs or messages about his own struggles. Rush embraced every difficulty with incredible fortitude and grace.
Speak up for others. Despite many personal difficulties, Rush Limbaugh was a champion for others. Though never a father, Rush spoke for the unborn. On Monday, July 30, 2015, he had this to say after learning about the harvesting of baby parts. “I don’t know. It’s clear that these people at Planned Parenthood have something other than a soul. They’re operating on something clearly foreign to most of us, to be able to clinically discuss the harvesting of organs from newborn babies, the way they’re talking about it in here in a detached way. I don’t know how you do that.”
Keep a sense of humor. Rush would drive his critics to despair by saying that he was “talent on loan from God,” and that he was willing to engage any Liberal “…with half my brain tied behind my back just to make it fair”. Part of the opposition to Rush personally was a misunderstanding. His humor was considered to be hubris, when in reality it was simply confidence in himself and what he believed. It has been said that the world will step aside for a man who knows where he is going. Rush always knew where he was going in life. He was ready to argue with Liberals, and able to prevail against their self-destructive, and other destructive points of view. One of the main differences between Rush and his critics was his sense of humor. Rush understood that “a merry heart does good, like a medicine” (Prov. 17:22).
Have a personal relationship with the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33). Rush Limbaugh did not often reveal his religious thoughts, but, near the end of his life, he did share he had a profound personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of this, Rush was ready to go and be with his Lord and Savior. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).
For a little while longer, each day at noontime, individuals will have, for a little while, the urge to turn on the radio to listen for the voice of Rush Limbaugh. They will remember afresh that God has reclaimed the Great Talent He loaned to us. So remind us, remind us dear Lord.
The things that I love and hold dear to my heart
Are just borrowed they’re not mine at all
Jesus only let me use them to brighten my light
So, remind, me remind me dear Lord
Roll back the curtain of memory now and then
Show me where you brought me from
And where I could have been
Remember I’m human, and humans forget
So, remind me, remind me dear Lord
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own Son
I’m not worthy of the scars in his hands
Yet he chose the road to Calvary to die in my stead
Why he loved me I can’t understand
Roll back the curtain of memory now and then
Show me where you brought me from
And where I could have been
Remember I’m human, and humans forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord
So, remind me, remind me dear Lord