He is dead.
This was the second sentence of the sermon that was preached at our friend Henry’s funeral earlier this year. Henry had died by suicide. The words crashed into me like a ton of bricks nearly knocking the wind out of me as I sat in the back pew of the sanctuary beside my husband. “Did the pastor really just say that?” I wondered in horror, as my thoughts of what the pastor would say next consumed me. For a fleeting moment I thought that the words had been spoken for their shock value. And with that, I expected the good news and the resurrection hope that we have in Jesus to come in the next sentence or two of the sermon. Biblical hope in the face of death by suicide.
I waited…and waited…and waited…
We heard of fleeting hope. The type of hope that the world is dominated by and that is actually shielded hopelessness. We heard of Henry’s strong Calvinist character, his love for his family, and the outdoors, and his strong faith he had in this life, even though, according to his pastor’s sermon, his faith and character was weak in the end. We even heard about the sinfulness of death by suicide. But the good news of the gospel, and the resurrection hope that we have in both this world and in the next, we had to wait for.
The good news of Jesus Christ did come. In the last two minutes of the sermon. All the right words came flooding out of the pastor. And the words were so good, so reassuring, so full of truth and love, and …. hope. But, they came too little and too late. It was absolutely heartbreaking. The next day I woke knowing that the sermon I had heard would not have the last word about Henry. And a word came to me that has stuck with me ever since.
Legacy.
Henry’s legacy was not in his death, nor his manner of death. Henry’s legacy was in the life he lived. I woke that first morning knowing that I had to live my life as if I was living a legacy. Because I am. We all are. We are the living, breathing legacy of Christ. Christ left His legacy with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify” (John 15:26-27). Our lives are to be a testimony to Him. We are the legacy of the living Christ here on earth.
I love the song “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. Some of the lyrics say “All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won will crumble into dust when it’s said and done– ‘Cause all that really mattered. Did I live the truth to the ones I love? Was my life the proof that there is only One whose name will last forever? And, I don’t want to leave a legacy. I don’t care if they remember me. Only Jesus. And I’ve only got one life to live. I’ll let every second point to Him. Only Jesus. Jesus is the only name to remember.”
Am I living out the legacy of Christ in us so that His name is glorified and not my own? Or is my life so full that there is little time for margin? Have the little “unexpected’s” and “distractions” that are a regular part of most days become real distractions or annoyances? Or do I have enough margin in my days that they become God moments? Am I intentional in my actions and conversations? In my words and even my thoughts? We are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (1 Cor 10:5).
Every part of our life is a calling to a greater purpose. Isaiah 43:7 says that we are created and formed by God, called by His name and for His glory. There is no greater purpose or calling in life than to live as the legacy of Jesus, pointing the world to Him through our “everyday ordinary life–[our] sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around lives” as an offering to God (Rom 12:1 MSG). For years, when I catch myself doing/saying something I shouldn’t, I ask myself, “Is what I’m doing glorifying God?” Perhaps I should start asking myself that same question at some point everyday. I’ve heard it said that we humans like to crawl off the altar that Paul tells us to place ourselves and our lives on in Romans 12:1. I wonder what it looks like for us to stay on God’s altar of love out of glory to Him, even though that legacy will mean surrender and sacrifice? I wonder what would happen in the Church and in the world if every Christian lived fully to the glory of God as though they were the living legacy of Christ every day and in every way? I wonder how I can live in and live out the legacy of Christ today?
klik Sekarang di jamin Cuan !!
Great paintings! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared across the internet. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this post higher! Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thank you =)
I truly enjoy reading on this internet site, it holds excellent content. “The secret of eternal youth is arrested development.” by Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Great blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thank you!
I?¦ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online for articles that can aid me. Thank you
I got what you intend, thankyou for putting up.Woh I am lucky to find this website through google. “Since the Exodus, freedom has always spoken with a Hebrew accent.” by Heinrich Heine.
What¦s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.
I¦ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me recognize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I?¦ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
I really enjoy studying on this internet site, it holds great posts.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Cheers
You are my inhalation, I own few web logs and occasionally run out from to post .
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What an ideal site.
Appreciating the time and energy you put into your website and in depth information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I enjoy looking at and I conceive this website got some genuinely utilitarian stuff on it! .
I just couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts
What i do not understood is in fact how you are not actually much more neatly-liked than you may be right now. You’re so intelligent. You already know therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, produced me in my opinion imagine it from so many various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved except it¦s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. All the time take care of it up!
I found your weblog web site on google and test a couple of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Searching for ahead to studying more from you in a while!…
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
I am constantly thought about this, thanks for posting.
I’ve learn a few good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you put to make any such fantastic informative site.
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian info on this web site, besides I think the layout has got great features.
Thank you for another informative site. Where else may just I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal manner? I have a challenge that I am simply now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
F*ckin¦ remarkable things here. I¦m very glad to look your article. Thanks a lot and i’m taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Great post, you have pointed out some superb points, I too conceive this s a very great website.
I went over this internet site and I believe you have a lot of excellent information, saved to fav (:.
Hi there very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?KI’m glad to seek out so many useful info right here in the put up, we need work out extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Magnificent site. Plenty of helpful info here. I?¦m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your sweat!
Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks