Tag Archives: whatever you do do it as unto the lord

Live to be forgotten?

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Whether it’s at a reunion celebration or a celebration of life service, most of us like to be remembered. In fact, we intentionally plan to be remembered by living a life of legacy that extends beyond our earthly years. While few of us will have large hospitals or libraries bearing our name, we hope to leave a legacy at our work, in our family, and in our church and community. After we’ve gone our legacy is based on our accomplishments, our character and the choices we made. That legacy is influenced largely by how we treat people, especially those who have no chance or power to advance our cause. Jesus said it is how we treat “the least of these” that matters greatly. Relationship are all we take to heaven.

And yet how quickly legacies turn from current memory to forgotten history. Do you remember the surge of national patriotism the days following the 9/11 attacks? And do you remember how quickly the unity dispersed and divisiveness again swept our country? Who will remember the history you experienced? Sacrifices made for just causes, values upheld in the face of persecution, faith in the middle of stormy life events, love and peace amidst the chaos of divisiveness.

The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Some died and others were born in the desert, having no recollection of the miraculous way God rescued them from the Egyptians. They were exiled into Babylon for seventy years. Entire generations  lived to be born and die in captivity. They had no personal experience with life “back home.” Only the legacy of faithfulness sustained them in tough times.

When I die, I suppose there will be friends and family who remember me. Hopefully their memories will be ones of kindness, compassion, passion for living well, and other positive attributes. I hope they will carry those same attributes and pass them on as the legacy they leave.

But should we live to be remembered? Is that the primary goal?

Count Zinzendorf was evidently a wealthy religious and social reformer of his 18th century times. His theology was Christ-centered, and he emphasized a “radical” lifestyle of “living for Jesus.” He is quoted to have summarized the goal of life simply as:

“Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”

Live and love with one solitary purpose, to preach the gospel, not only in words but in the harmonious ways Jesus guides our relationships with others. LI’ve, really live all out for Jesus and then die with the goal of being forgotten. Really? Why should be aim to be forgotten? It is so that every bit of pride may be swept away. So that when people remember you, what they really remember is how God moved through your life, how he helped and inspired others through you. It’s the outcome that follow’s John the Baptist’s conclusion that “He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I must become less.” (John 3:30) It is Paul’s message to each of us to consider the interests of others as greater than our own, love without grumbling, and consider everything we do as unto the Lord, for his purpose. (Philippians 2:2-16, Colossians 3:17)

So while our prideful self wants to remembered and our name to be preserved, how much better if what people remember most is God’s goodness revealed in our lives. His ways are higher than our ways and so leaving a legacy of God’s great love is our most prized goal. May your legacy and mine be marked by kindness, strong faith, persistent prayer, compassion for the needy, wholesome laughter, and quality time enjoying time with friends and family. Long after your name and mine are forgotten may the legacy that lives on be one of faith, hope, and love.

Especially love!

Learning from the past

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In our politically correct society, there are many calls to get rid of things that *someone* thinks is offensive: the cross, the ten commandments, the USA flag, the confederate flag, the word “Dixie.” In one case, there’s a call to sandblast the carved rock images of Confederate soldiers off the side of a mountain. It’s like there is a desire to erase history, when really we should learn from it.

 

Actually, that was the message of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10: Pay attention to the lessons of the past so you don’t repeat their mistakes. He speaks about how the people of Israel did all these religious things, “yet God was not pleased with most of them.” (v 5)

 

Maybe you’d like to join me in going through the checklist of examples Paul lists and see how we fare:

  • Do not be idolaters. (Check. No graven images here, unless you count all the things I place as a higher priority than my relationship with God.)
  • Avoid sexual immorality. (Check… if you don’t count movies and books)
  • Do not test Christ (as with snakes) (Check for sure!)
  • Do not grumble (Che…oops. Well, maybe I still have room to grow a little here!)

 

The truth is, we all fall short. We think we’re on firm ground but if we walk close to the cliff, or on the fence between right and sort of right, it’s easy to misstep and fall. We think we can follow God and watch movies that dishonor him. We think we can lead a “good life” and cheat others. We think we can dance with the world and walk with God. The Israelites tried it and many of them perished in hopelessness; it should be a warning to us: We “can’t drink of the cup of the lord and the cup of demons too.” (v 21)

 

We’re all tempted, and that’s not a sin. Whatever tempts us is common to everyone. You’re not the only one struggling. And when you are tempted, there is a way out of temptation! Jesus IS the way out. He endured all kinds of temptation so he knows what you’re facing. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Every temptation is an opportunity to trust God!

 

The solution isn’t just to flee from selfish and dishonoring ways. It’s not even to focus on trying to do “what’s right.” Our real solution is asking God to show us what’s BEST and most beneficial, what pleases and honors him, what encourages and helps others. I’m not sure it matters whether you sell everything and minister to people in a foreign land or whether you stay home and minister to those across the fence. What matters is that we refuse to let the past define us, but instead learn from it, and commit to honor God by loving him and loving others in his name. May that be the banner we carry today.

 

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

The first page of your new year

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Today is the first page of a 365 page story, the story of your life in 2015.

 

 

Maybe you have some idea of what you want to be part of this year’s story. You have hopes and dreams for what you will accomplish. Likely, there will be surprises that will suddenly appear on your pages. But even when the pages turn unexpectedly, you remain in control of what is written on them. How you respond to life determines your story more than the actual events that transpire. So how will you write this year of your life?

 

You could just wait and see what happens, live life as it comes to you. Que será, será. Put life on autopilot and see where it takes you. Let the spinning wheel spin and see where it stops. It’s easy to get caught up on the merry-go-round, distracted by all the lights and music. Before you know it, a day, a week, a month, a year, a life has passed…without purpose.

 

You could take charge, set your goals, plan extensively, and live with great focus. I tend to be a goal-setter and planner so I suppose I easily fall into this category. I tend to think it is good to ‘count the costs’ and plan well. In the parable of the talents, Jesus praised those who invested well. We too should invest our time well and also our other resources. But sometimes, the best of plans have to be set aside and new strategies adopted. You had intended to write one thing in your book of life, but life itself changes the direction of the next page and chapter.

 

There is a third, more profitable way to write the story of 2015 and that is to devote the year, all of it, to the glory and honor of God. “Whatever you do, do it as unto The Lord” for His purpose and His glory. (Colossians 3:23). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

 

God delights in you and He wants to show you the way to go in this new year. He longs for your joy. Shouldn’t your story be all about Him? How do you do that? Make sure each page of 2015 be filled with three things:

 

Rejoicing – God is good. He will always be with you.
Praying – Talk with God throughout the day. Spend some time listening.
Giving thanks – Find reason to give thank every single day.

 

Write a great story in 2015!  Fill your pages with these things and enjoy a wonderful new year!

 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18