By Jake Hopkinson

Yesterday many people woke up to the devastating news to hear of the passing of Rush Limbaugh. Millions of Americans woke up to hear that an iconic and heroic man, a man who loved this country, the flag, and God succumbed to the final stages of cancer. A tremendously sad day indeed. Rush Limbaugh started his illustrious career the year I was born, 1988. A time during the Reagan era, where many thought his show would be halted as quick as it started. Little did they know, Rush would transform talk radio for the next 30 years. He paved the way for many to include Mark Levin and other opinion hosts. He paved the pay for hosts on the left as well. When he started he was often called ‘the most dangerous man in America’ due to his brutal honesty and saying things that no one else had the guts to. For 30 years he fought censorship and bigotry by the left and it only made him that much stronger. His legacy in talk radio and conservatism will never be forgotten and we will always cherish tuning into him daily and hearing his words of encouragement. Rush truly believed in this country and what America stood for. He cherished our constitution and our founding fathers. He was a constitutional conservative who believed in freedom, limited government, law and order, and freedom of the individual. His voice of encouragement will never fade away. Rush often said, “no matter where you started or what you like, as Americans we all have endless opportunities.” However, even with his conservative voice and presence, his legacy will live on because of the person he was. He was a man of tremendous moral character and spirit. A man devoted to his country, but always God first. A man who people turned to even if they didn’t want to hear about politics necessarily , but they turned to him for comfort and strength. His voice comforted millions and his attitude was envied by all who listened. The news of Rush’s cancer diagnosis stunned his millions of listeners and deeply touched our souls. With stage 4 lung cancer, we all knew the end would be sooner rather then later. We all know people who have succumbed to the horrendous disease, and too often we know the final outcome. We know the tenacity it takes and the strength through courage it requires to go through such a nightmare. The many people it impacts and the hardships it causes. Since hearing the news of his diagnosis, I prayed often for his happiness and his courage through this, as I know overcoming it was not an option. I prayed for him like I did for the county and for our liberty and freedom. It’s true to say Life is found in Christ. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus wasn’t present but when he heard the news he prayed and wept did him. As he stood outside his tomb, he felt the feelings of his friends and family and assured them his sickness would not end in death, but in God’s glory. So many of us prayed and wept for Rush over the past year. So many of us prayed for healing. We will all reach this point someday. A grim and depressed statement, I know. But, we must realize we all have people that love us, pray for us, and weep for us. With this, we will ultimately realize death will not scare us. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can find joy and happiness. In the darkness, we shall find light because we know he will not forsake us. As we continue to dwell and mourn over someone we loved so dearly, let us not be sad and glum. Rather, let us rejoice and celebrate for having the opportunity to know such a man and to be encouraged and strengthened by his words. Let us carry on his legacy by continuing to fight for our country and the freedom and liberty it gives us. Let us remember a man who rose above and fought for us and gave us a voice when we needed it. Wipe the tears from your eyes and be thankful for what he gave us. Lou Gehrig said that he felt like he was the luckiest man on earth when he received his diagnosis. If you remember, Rush discussed this and not knowing the meaning of statement the plausibility of it. Rush then said the same thing when he received his diagnosis a little over 80 years later. He said this due to the outpouring of love and affection from his friends and listeners. He knew we were with him every single step of the way and he knew he was loved deeply.