Someone has said that you are not ready to live unless you are ready to die.
Dare 2 Share - The Lord’s loved ones are precious to him; it grieves him when they die. (Psalm 116:15)
As I slowly drove away from the memorial service, my mind was racing a hundred different directions. Memories of the past, thoughts of the present, and worries about the future all struggled for resolution in the wake of a grievous situation. Yet one underlying question kept coming to the forefront of my reflections: what will they say at my memorial service?
Someone has said that you are not ready to live unless you are ready to die. This was incredibly evident to me after hearing Cyndi’s family reminisce about her constant and unwavering commitment to Christ and fearless attitude towards death. She lived her life everyday as if it were her last, and that is why she left a greater legacy in 30 years than most people will in 100. As I sat towards the back and witnessed the hundreds upon hundreds of lives that were forever touched by one godly life, I realized that I have a long way to go.
Perhaps it sounds a bit morbid, but we all might do well to start visualizing what our funeral might be like. I’m not talking about a gloomy pre-occupation with our own mortality, rather that we should consider the attitude of one of the wisest men ever to have lived:
It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
What a contrast to today’s ‘party on’ mentality! Of course Solomon knew that since this life is a rapidly evaporating mist, we all should consider what kind of fragrance we will leave behind.
Allow me to suggest a valuable exercise relevant to this important topic. Take some time this weekend to reflect on three different areas that will have an enormous bearing on the day of your funeral.
1) The Past
Painful as this may be, it is a worthy undertaking. You must make certain that you have made peace with all people as much as it is possible. You do not want to carry bitterness and grudges to the grave. There is nothing you can do to change all that has come before you, so you might as well let it go before it destroys you.
2) The Present
Difficult as it may be, it is crucial to keep your mind on the moment. You need to live each moment in the power of the Spirit, considering others more important than yourself. Your basic and primary mission should be to "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, `Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27).
3) The Future
Unforeseeable as this may be, it is wise to plan ahead. Based on how you have lived your life so far, think about who would show up at your funeral. Think also about what the theme of the message would be if it accurately reflected your life. Consider who would step to the front if there was an ‘open microphone’ at your service, and what would they say.
If during your life you considered these areas and made the necessary changes, at the end of your life you would leave a precious legacy in your corner of the world, and you will be welcomed into heaven with these words: “well done, my good and faithful servant”.
Questions:
1) How would you sum up your life in one paragraph?
2) Would you consider yourself someone who is ‘ready to die’? Why or why not?
3) What is one change you want to make in order to live a more godly life?
