Being the Pastor’s secretary meant that I had to attend many of the funerals that the Pastor was called upon to officiate over.
Of course, most of the funerals were for church members or their family. But, Pastor was occasionally called on to speak at the funeral of persons who did not have a church home.
One of my responsibilities was to gather information about the life of the deceased for the funeral message. As I typed the words for Pastor to read, I realized that “we” write our own eulogy.
Those who had died hadn’t known today was the day of their death. Those who were old and sick, of course, knew their time was at hand. But, sadly, Pastor had preached at funerals for both old AND young, the sick AND the healthy.
This gave me pause for thought; I too have no guarantee of more time (Hebrews 9:27-28). True, I’m far too young to think about dying, but obviously, the length of my life is known only by God. If today were to be my last day, what would my life leave as a testament to be shared as my eulogy?
Would there be mention made of how I influenced others to follow Jesus? Will there be friends from my church and my neighborhood crying tears of loss? Will my children mourn my passing or be relieved I’ve finally gone on? Will my grandchildren and, if I live long enough, my great grandchildren, make tearful pledges to love Jesus as much as “Mamawl” did?
Today, by my life, I am writing my own eulogy. Will the heritage I leave be one of victorious living for Christ (Psalms 37:25); or one of unredeemed time? Will my loved ones have to look up a church in the phone book to find a Pastor that will have to search for empty words to speak over my dry bones?
Or will my own Pastor, my longtime friend, comfort my grieving family through personal memories of my life lived fully for Christ? I’m the only one that can determine the answer to these questions.
The decisions that I make today will write my eulogy and determine the legacy and example I leave for my children and my grandchildren to follow. Time passes quickly, and life can be too soon over (Psalms 103:15-16). Each day that I live NOW is part of my legacy; what eulogy am I living to be read?
James 4:13-14 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Prayer: Father, help me to live each day you have given me to the fullest. Show me ways to touch the lives of those around me with the love of Chris. I want my life to be lived fully for you. Amen.
Scripture References
Psalms 37:25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.
Psalms 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.