How Will People Remember You?
And I will make every effort to see
that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. – 2
Peter 1:15
If you were to die in car wreck today, what would
people say about you? If you were to suffer a fatal heart attack today, what would
people remember about you? If today were your last day on this earth, what
difference would you have made in the lives of others?
We know that tomorrow isn’t promised. We know that. So
why do we live as though we’ve got plenty of days ahead to finally do all those
things we’ve planned to do? You know what I’m talking about: vacations and
playing with your children, volunteering at the food bank and inviting your
elderly neighbor over for a meal and fellowship with your family.
Most of us have good intentions. We do. We’re just so
busy. We’re so caught up in the things of this world that we miss what’s ahead.
We forget that we’re only here for a short time. We labor for things that won’t
last, neglecting eternal things.
Peter is looking toward to what awaits him in heaven.
He is asking others to make every effort to increase their faith and to embrace
their calling as people of Christ. And to live as people who have been cleansed
by the blood of Christ, people who will be welcomed into an eternal kingdom by
Jesus.
There was something Bart Millard said in the DVD Bible
study on his song I Can Only Imagine that really stayed with me.
In talking about his Dad, he noted that he was more a part of Bart’s future
than he was of his past.
My age clearly indicates that I’ve got more years
behind me than I have in front of me. I am on the downward slide toward heaven.
I eagerly look forward to it. But it sure puts today’s struggles, aggravations,
and tasks in perspective.
Life becomes less about what I have and more about how
I can impact others for Jesus. I ask Him to let my life reflect His light. I
want my life to be about Him. Satan, of course, has another plan. This spiritual
warfare is real. We all must be vigilant and cling tightly to the One who
strengthens us to withstand all enemy attacks.
So, what will people remember about you when you are
gone? Will they remember that fancy house or awesome car? Will they remember
your career success? For how long? Time has a way of erasing things. Houses
become old. Cars lose their luster. And someone else is always waiting to take
over your job.
Will they remember that you loved Jesus? Will they
remember that you gave generously of both your time and money to help others?
Will they remind your children about how kind you were to others? Will your children tell their children about
how you were never too busy to play, to read a story, to talk to them about
Jesus?
I will forever remember my Aunt Murl sitting quietly
in a chair praying. I remember my cousin Peggy who, tethered to oxygen and too
frail to stay alone, continually sought to learn and grow in Christ. I will
remember my friend Rose who, though she couldn’t even go outside, still
ministered to others with cards and phone calls. I will remember my friend John
who always helped me and others, with no expectation of anything in return.
I could go on and on, listing those I have witnessed
actually living their faith. It’s so easy to check that Christian box, to
attend church on Sunday, to give from your abundance. But those who live Jesus?
Well, they’re something special. They don’t need to check a box for others to
know who they belong to. They don’t need to preach and judge others. Their
lives already tell the gospel.
What will people remember about you? You answer that
question every day with how you live your life.
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