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Comedian, musician, author and podcaster (Laugh Track Comedy Cast)
Mike Hickman joins our show this week. But, his life hasn’t always been a barrel of laughs.
Nearly two years ago, Mike tragically lost his 17-year-old son. The day started out perfect – his son and two of his best friends were at the house. The family had celebratory teaks for lunch together. After lunch, they all said, “I love you” as the boys left to go hang out and play music until the wee hours of the morning.
But, apparently, at least one of the boys seems to have taken some combination of drugs, got his hands on a gun and he shot his two best friends… including Mike’s son.
Since then, through the pain, grief, loss and even the ongoing trial, Mike and his wife have learned to look to God for their strength and peace throughout the entire ordeal.
Just a few weeks after his son was shot, Mike was at the grocery store. He bumped into a friend and could tell that they wanted to say something, but instead, she just burst into tears and walked on by without saying a word. It wasn’t as if she was behaving rudely… she simply had no words. But, what this poor friend didn’t know was that Mike and his wife were actually quite at peace with the whole situation – something that could only be explained as a gift from God in the midst of their tragedy.
In fact, the first reaction that Mike’s wife had upon hearing the news of her son’s accident as to pray. As Mike puts it sure, she was crying out… even yelling… in prayer, but she fell to her knees and yelled out to God, “We will trust You! We will trust You! We will trust You til the end!”
This immediately strengthened Mike, as he realized right away where their focus needs to be. And he needed God’s strength right away, as his son’s band director asked him to come speak at what would have been his son’s band camp. Now, for years, Mike has enjoyed speaking to kids… about anything, but especially about God’s plans for our lives. And, as difficult as you would think this day might have been, Mike was actually able to offer comfort and hope to the kids in his son’s band.
Even when life’s pain is as stark and immense as it was for Mike that day, as Christians, we are called to offer other people comfort and hope, just as God gives us eternal hope and comfort.
In other words, as we receive something from the Lord, we ought to be giving something from the Lord.
In fact, at the moment that his son passed away, he actually had the most impact on his friends’ lives that he ever could… his death gave opportunity for several of his classmates, neighbors, and friends to hear about and understand what God’s plan is for our eternities. They heard the Gospel, they saw God move through the Church, they experienced sincere worship, even in times of sorrow, and came to the point of placing their faith in the Son of God, rather than just muddling along through life on their own.
I think Mike said it best, “God knows the exact number of our days, and He saturates each of those days with a purpose. And, apparently, God said to Mike’s son that his purpose was fulfilled.” One year later, and his son would have been in college and not as connected to those students who learned about Jesus at his memorial. A couple years earlier, he would have been an underclassman at his school and again, not as connected. But because he died at the moment when he was in the midst of all those relationships, many people discovered new relationships with God, even through tragedy.
“When the rug of life is ripped out from under you, what you discover underneath that rug is the sure foundation of Jesus Christ.”
So, while Mike and his wife would have preferred to hang on tightly to the past, and the moments that they shared together as a family, through prayer, God assured them that their son is not in the past. Nor is he in the future. He is alive, right now, with God. And every step that Mike, his wife, and their friends and family take is one more step and day closer to seeing him again… and one step closer to being with God, which is even greater!
Through this, Mike has learned that as Christians, by moving forward – even after such a terrible moment as your child dying – we are not forgetting the past, but actually moving toward something much greater!
In fact, in a mere six weeks after the shooting, Mike clearly felt God compelling him to take the stage again in front of a comedy audience. How was he supposed to get behind a microphone and make people laugh, in the midst of such sorrow?
Leading up to the gig, he prepared himself mentally for the gig, taking comfort in the facts that he new the venue well – a church he had performed at before with a great sound system, intimate setting, comfortable air conditioning, and a welcoming audience who was familiar with his comedy and musical parodies.
However, when he arrived, changes awaited him. He was going to be performing outdoors, on the back of a flatbed truck, 40-yards from the closest audience member in 110 degree Texas heat!
But, instead of panicking or mentally treading water in a sea of doubt and remorse, Mike felt as though he was wrapped in a robe of mercy from God above! He didn’t feel hot. He didn’t feel nauseous (even though he did feel sick to his stomach during the entire drive to the church). And, as soon as he took center stage, a ton of students and kids filled the 40-yard space, right in front of the stage. It was as if God was telling Mike with every detail, “I’ve got this.”
Afterward, Mike pulled his wife aside and told her, “God showed me something today, and I don’t think it’s over. Philippians 2:13 says, ‘..it is God who works in you to will and to work according to His good purpose.’
It occurred to them both immediately that if Mike were to think that it is him doing all the work and taking the stage on his own power… sure, it’s his personality and talent… but the truth is that it should be God working through him, so that his story can draw more people to Jesus! With that as Mike’s strength and peace, he has learned that he doesn’t have to rely on the comforts that he would on his own (air conditioning, comfortable venues, welcoming crowds, etc.), but he can take comfort in the fact that as God leads, He will also provide!
Mike now sees his audiences as people, like him, who may be hurting, and are in need of laughter. The Bible tells us that “The Joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), and through laughter, Mike is learning to bring joy – that comes from God – to the people who come to see him perform! So now, instead of simply trying to get laughs out of a crowd, Mike sees himself as strengthening them!
This new perspective has transformed how he treats his audiences, how he writes, and how he performs. Even after his immense loss, Mike is more passionate and inspired than ever before.
And, for those who may be going through something terrible, like Mike and his wife were, he offers these words of encouragement: Read the Bible! God’s Word is living, meaningful, and relevant to each of our daily lives.
Another story Mike likes to share happened about a year ago, Mike was out for his morning jog, when he found himself absolutely overcome with grief. In between his sobs, he cried out to God for some sort of comfort. Just then, something on the side of the road caught his eye. Something shiny was on the ground, reflecting the son’s light and hitting him in the eye. As he picked it up, he realized it was a side mirror that had fallen off a car. Mike’s first thought was, “Thanks God. I asked for comfort, and you gave me this mirror that is reflecting the heavenly clouds.” But, that didn’t seem to be God’s point. Because, along the bottom of the mirror, Mike read, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Mike immediately was filled with hope and joy once again. He still has that mirror on his dresser today! The Lord is closer than we think he appears to be… ALL THE TIME.
He understands our pains, our fears, and even our doubts.
His word – the Bible – speaks to us with His truth.
His people – the Church – yearn to minister to us, meet our needs, and lift us up.
And God promises to give us strength, hope, purpose, and even joy when we need it!
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 23:13-14)
You can learn more from Mike at MikeHickmanComedy.com!