“Your work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV.
A meaningless life while you live is meaningless after you live.
My comments today urge you to value, “a spiritual heritage.”
Is death the end of everything? Really? Some people believe that it is, but even they wish they didn’t believe that. Such a belief certainly offers no consolation when facing death. The Bible is clear that death is inevitable, and a very real appointment with God awaits afterward. “Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.” Hebrews 9:27 TEV. That seems simple enough. As a follower of Christ, I believe there is an afterlife, an eternal life after death. If this life were all there is, that would not be enough.
There is an enduring hope for all who place faith in Christ as Savior that is asserted true by His own death, resurrection, and ascension to Father God. I cannot imagine everyday life without such an everyday faith; I certainly would not try living without that very real relationship and substantial hope. “We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary, where Jesus, Who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews 6:18-20 NIV.
Max Lucado, a local pastor and popular author, wrote a book with the intriguing title, “Outlive your Life.” Many are happy just to live their life, with little thought or regard to outliving those brief years. God meant for your life to “outlive” you. How? By an enduring impact on others’ lives that will extend beyond yours. Everyone will have a history; for some unfortunately, that will be all they have. They will leave little or nothing that will last after they are gone; nothing they are or do will outlive them. A meaningless life while you live will remain meaningless after you live.
I love the beauty, architecture, and history of our nation’s capital, Washington DC, a city filled with monuments and memorials like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery that commemorate heroic, exemplary lives that have inspired generations who never knew them but still know of them. They call us back to what we’ve been to empower us to become what we should be. My personal goal is to leave a spiritual legacy for family and friends that lingers after my history has been written.
May it be said of you and me, “We continually remember . . your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV. My Dad died too young. He didn’t leave much of worldly goods, but he left me an invaluable Godly heritage by his faith and example. I live so as to leave more than memories or inheritance; I purpose to leave a loving, Godly heritage. After life, what then? What will you leave that is lasting? Jesus said to His disciples, “I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last.” John 15:16 NLT. Fruit that will last. That’s how you, “outlive your life.” Leave an inspiring legacy of eternal worth.
Today, I pray for you to live and leave a Godly heritage for family and friends.
Christian Communications 2016
Facebook.com/everydaylife.allenrandolph