If today was your last day on earth—why would you be missed?
After a brush with catastrophe on the interstate, I was thinking about this question. Is my influence for Christ; that is—His wisdom, strength, love, joy, peace and compassion—powerful enough in my life that it is being perpetuated in those around me? What does my presence influence others to do? What are the best things I most bring to the table in both my casual interactions and relationships?
Ah, when Jesus is Lord of our life and we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind then—when folks meet us—they meet Jesus.
Jesus is the only person who can change the eternity of another person from torture to paradise. So, I pondered these questions:
When folks meet me do they see “a smart lawyer” or “a lawyer who loves God?”
Do they meet “a sexy mamma” or “a mother who loves like God loves her?”
Do they meet “a tough woman” or “a compassionate woman full of supernatural strength tempered by the mercy of God?”
Do they meet “a great teacher” or “a teacher overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit?”
What IS it people will most remember YOU by?
The Bible tells us what we already know—but often ignore—about our frail life:
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;’ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14
We’re not promised the rest of this day so…make it matter.
A hundred years from now, no one is likely going to remember our beauty, our talent, athleticism, brilliance, or our wealth. We don’t take any of these things with us into eternity UNLESS…they are used for God’s glory. The souls of people are all we take with us. So, we are doing ourselves a favor to ask: Is my life changing the eternity of those who know me? Do I share God’s glorious gift of salvation? Am I making disciples of Christ? Do I give God the credit for everything I am; for all I do; and all I have so that I point people to God’s incredible faithfulness and goodness?
Don’t you want your presence to make an eternal difference and then, someday in eternity, get to know all the people who are in Heaven because you wisely invested your life in eternal things?
You know, this may be the last devotional I write. These may be the last words you read. If this is true, don’t you want to leave this physical world knowing that you did everything in your power for people to know Jesus?
I thought about the people I would miss most if they were gone, and WHY I would miss them. I compared them to those I would NOT miss much at all. The contrasting effect of the thorns and the roses—is worth noting—especially if it motivates us to change instead of judge. God showed me that the people who mean most to me, those who give my life deepest meaning, all have one thing in common—a strong sense of God’s presence.
People who walk in the presence of God produce the nourishing fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness—and they are strong and full of wisdom. They are like Jesus, Whom we were commanded to emulate:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Jesus lived completely for others. In doing so, He eternally affected the eternity of millions. His sacrifice for us paved the way for us to ALSO make an eternal difference! As I think of those people who have had the greatest influence on my life, I realize that the difference was their selflessness. It wasn’t their wealth, fame, social status, athleticism, etc. It was their compassion, wisdom, love, and strength from God that made the greatest difference!
God’s presence in their lives showed me—JESUS.
God’s influence through them worked profound changes in me. When we live in Him, that’s what our life does for others.
