I have been reading all of the new posts daily at our Motions online community, and some posts have really moved me. But one has stuck out, and remained in my thoughts recently. It's the story of Ryan Mcafee, an 18 yr. old kid from Oklahoma who tragically lost his life in a car accident. Not long before that accident, Ryan had posted the lyrics to "the Motions" on his Facebook page, saying he wanted to live his life with a passion for God that the song talks about. "The Motions” was played at Ryan's funeral, and I was told that so many people were so moved by Ryan's life and love for God, that 15 people made a new commitment to Christ right there at his memorial. Here Is Ryan's story from his older brother, Lance. -mw
Where do I begin? How about our God is an awesome God! Why? Well there are an infinite amount of reasons, but let me tell you a story about one of them. It’s a story about my brother, Ryan Allen McAfee. My brother lived his life based on a couple of well-known statements, Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) and Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 21:31). You see, there was nobody too low or too high that my brother didn’t love or become friends with. Everyone loved Ryan, I never heard a bad word uttered about him, nor did I ever hear him say anything bad about anyone else. Ryan lived like Christ, and was an awesome example of what a Christian in today’s society should look like. Ryan obeyed the Word of Almighty God, he wasn’t perfect, but he strived to be. Even in his last days, he felt the conviction of wanting to do more for Christ, he told of his dreams and how he wanted to change the entertainment industry by letting Christ use him in the films he wanted to make. My brother never cursed, drank, or smoked - he wanted to live in a way that would be honoring to God, his body was a temple.
On Friday, February 27th he wrote the chorus to the song “The Motions” by Matthew West on his Facebook wall:
I don't want to go through the motions
I don't want to go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't want to spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions
Apparently he was telling his friends to keep him accountable to make sure he was living how he was supposed to live. He always wanted to do more, always pushing to serve. A day and a half later on the morning of Monday, March 2nd - he passed away. He did not get the chance to live his earthly dreams; however he did realize his ultimate dream. He is now with the Lord, he died as a sacrifice, and that is the way he lived his life.
I say that because of what transpired after his passing. At the funeral there were approximately 2,000-2,500 people in attendance, and during it we played Matthew’s song the “The Motions” and the crowd was in awe. Now previously to Ryan’s death I had never heard the song, but when I heard it, I told my mother we had to put it in the funeral; that action was totally God inspired.
Needless to say, God is amazing! At Ryan’s funeral, 15-20 people were saved! Can you imagine? God does indeed work in mysterious ways, it was perfect. If Ryan could have known that even just one person would be touched by the Lord by himself dying, he would have done it in a heartbeat. God has been escalated things ever since then, a news crew has done a story about Ryan, Matthew told his story on KLOVE*, and other amazing things have happened. Little did he know that the world would hear about Christ through his passing. God’s will is certainly being done.
I miss Ryan, but I know he would not want to come back, he is seeing amazing things, and God is still using him here, I'm proud to be called his brother. I look up to him, as I always have; this is just a small story of why God is awesome!
Just remember that God will use you if you are willing; people are watching. When you are gone what will people say? Will they say that you lived a good life or that you gave Christ everything you had? I ask myself this question everyday. Let us show people love, let us give our all to Christ, and let us not go through the Motions!
God Bless,
Lance McAfee
May.16.2009
**Listen to Matthew and Lance's conversation on KLOVE in the myspace player.
Wow. Thank you for sharing Ryan's story. We certainly do serve an amazing God.
Posted by: Megan | May 28, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Praise God! What a wonderful legacy Ryan has left, better than most Christians could leave in a lifetime. May God bless you Lance, and your family. May you all be filled with joy over your brother's memory, and his work and passion while here and here after.
Sheri
Posted by: Sheri | May 30, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I only HOPE to touch lives as much. Remember we are all in this no matter the sacrifice!
Posted by: Colleen | May 30, 2009 at 08:18 PM
This story as well as the song has very much touched my heart. I am a youth leader at a pentecostal church in Mansfield,Louisiana. Since hearing this story did I not only publish got all of my youth to read it but did an youth service sermon centered around the song "Motions" We have begun a summer contest with the youth called "summer of fire" where our young people bring friends/family members with them to church and earn points for each time they come. At the end of the summer whomever has the most points wins a $100 visa gift card. Before begining this contest I printed out and let each one of them sign it that said "FROM THIS DAY FOURTH I WILL NOT JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS, I WILL NOT GO ONE MORE DAY WITHOUT HIS ALL CONSUMEING PASSION INSIDE OF ME BECUASE I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MY WHOLE LIFE ASKING 'WHAT IF I HAD GIVEN EVERYTHING" INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS" It is posted in big red letters at the very back of our church just as you walk in so everyone see it! My youth group has added 3 more brand new young people in just the past 2 weeks since doing this. Keep you your good work!
Posted by: Anna | June 01, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Ryan, may you be at peace wherever you may lie.
Posted by: blair | June 04, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Ryan was a student that I had met when he was about 15 at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly. I was his Bible study teacher for 3 summers. God is glorified in Ryan because Ryan was satisfied in God. As John Piper states, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him".
Grace,
Bro. Ray
John 17:17
Posted by: Ray Earley | July 11, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Lance, I have never met you or your brother, but you father is a wonderful guy. God does have a plan, and Ryan has touched more people just at his memorial service than some touch in 90 years. I lost two sisters and know the void it leaves behind. Just know that the memories become more precious with time. MC
Posted by: Mariann Cannon | July 27, 2009 at 11:11 AM
That is an awesome story. It certainly made me stop and think about my life and where I stand. If I was to die today, how would I be remembered? God is SO awesome, isn't He?!
Posted by: Tiffany | August 08, 2009 at 12:46 PM
About once a month the youth at our church perform human videos, bringing to life some of todays most popular christian contemporary songs. Last Sunday they chose The Motions by Matt West. They began by sharing Ryan's story with us, and I was so moved by the lyrics, and the message they conveyed. I am so sorry for your loss, but I pray you'll find peace in knowing that Ryan, his love for others, and his love for God are changing lives. I thank God that even at such a young age, Ryan opened his heart to the Lord, and allowed His will in his life. Such wisdom at that age is truly amazing. I will share Ryan's story with my friends and family, and be praying for you and yours. God Bless
Alicia Clifford, Maine
Posted by: Alicia Clifford | August 12, 2009 at 07:38 AM
my name is corey and Ryan was my cousin. its still hard to this day realizing that he cant come back to see us but only knowing that i will see him again in heaven. But i just want to personally thank Matthew West for putting on a concert here in Mcalester,Ok in the memory of Ryan McAfee. March 2,2009 was one of the hardest days in my life, i had just gotten out of baseball practice when one of my close friends got a messege about his passing i just couldnt believe that god would take a person like ryan that loved GOD with all his heart and devoted himself to the lords work, i struggled with this until the funeral where Ryans preacher held an invitation and 20 plus people gave there lives to christ and then i understood why god took Ryan from us. its still hard and i still cry when i think about Ryan, but i know that my savior will get us threw everything. this concert on october 15th is going to have a huge impact on the city of mcalester so thank you from the bottom of my heart Matthew
Posted by: Corey Cantrell | September 27, 2009 at 05:40 PM
My teenage son and I just heard about this story while listening to KLOVE on the way to school this morning. I came home and looked it up to find this blog.
What an amazing testimony. Thank you for sharing. 0:-) God bless you, Lance.
God bless you, Matthew West, for writing such a beautiful song.
-Barbara Hosler
El Paso, TX
Posted by: Barbara Hosler | September 28, 2009 at 07:53 AM
matthew, thanks so much for coming to our town! it was wonderful! confirming all that i knew ....God is able to use anybody and any circumstance for His glory and He is so worthy of our praises! thanks for worshiping with us here in mcalester,small town,USA! where we prefer mcalester :)! i will keep u and yours in prayer and believe that God will bless your tour mightily and be glorified beyond your wildest imaginations because of your willingness to obey! cathy sly
Posted by: cathy sly | October 16, 2009 at 05:57 AM
I knew Ryan since I was a freshman in Canadian OK. He always helped me with my school work and he taught me how to play basketball. The whole time I've known him, I never seen him mad. He always looked on the bright side, no matter how bad the situation was. He taught me a lot of things and I really miss him.
Posted by: Slava Lenkov | October 27, 2009 at 03:03 PM