...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...let us run the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus... (Hebrews 12:1-2, RSV)
Do friends or family who have died have any influence on this earth? Can people in heaven effect outcomes in this life? Is there indeed a “cloud of witnesses” who surround us, sort of like angels, helping us in certain times?
There are biblical stories of people appearing from the other side. Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration. Samuel returned from the dead in a bizarre story found in 1 Samuel 28. But I am left mostly confused on the question, and I have never heard a satisfactory sermon on the subject.
In 1992, several good things happened to me after my father died. Curious about the connections between heaven and earth, I asked a respected theologian (who had preached his funeral) whether it was possible that my father had anything to do with my good fortune. I expected him to tell me I was silly to think such ridiculous thoughts. Instead, he shocked me with, “I’m not sure why you’d stop being useful just because you’re in heaven.”
Those words have resounded in me as I continue to remember University of Kentucky golfer Cullan Brown, who died way too young on August 4. Many close friends have experienced extraordinary blessings since his death.
For example, Max Mehles was a senior and mentor for Cullan on the Kentucky golf team. On the day of Cullan’s death, Max’s girlfriend, Sophia Popov, received a sponsor’s exemption to play an LPGA event in Ohio. Carrying her own bag with no caddie, ranked 304th in the world, and wearing a blue ribbon in memory of Cullan, she finished tied for ninth, which qualified her for the Women’s British Open. Perhaps you know the rest of the story. Still wearing the blue ribbon for Cullan, Sophia won the Open at Royal Troon on August 23, with Max on the bag. Did Cullan help somehow? I presume not, but honestly, I don’t know.
Then just two weeks ago, Cullan’s roommate Alex Goff carried his friend’s bag in the televised Blessings Collegiate in Arkansas. And sure enough, Alex won his first college tournament. He had never come close to winning a college event. He was ranked near 750th in the amateur golf rankings. Announcers on TV kept saying things like, “Cullan is surely looking down on Alex from above.” Statements like that make me a little nervous, knowing that Golf Channel announcers are not very good theologians. But when it comes to this question, neither am I.
The story ends, for now, with one last question from another former UK teammate. Lukas Euler called me the day after Alex won, happy to report that he just shot a 64 to Monday qualify for his first Korn Ferry tour event. We discussed Cullan and Sophia and Alex. So now Lukas, in his direct German style, asked a question I may never forget: “Do you think it’s possible that Cullan asked God to give his unused talent to his friends?”
I had no good answer for him. I don’t know.
But I do know this. Death and life are Real. These stories of “blessings” are true. Heaven is a real place with real people. And Cullan Brown is now one of the great cloud of witnesses. He is alive! Instead of the Hall of Fame, he has entered the Hall of Faith, found in Hebrews 11. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses—and now Cullan!
In the fall of 2018, 18-year-old freshman Cullan wrote a paper for a leadership class. He was writing about a certain leader, but his words are chillingly now his own. Cullan said, “He has a clear view of what he wants to leave behind, which is the love and story of Jesus Christ.” Wow! Cullan has left behind the love and story of Jesus Christ. And a lot of friends.