Death is a reality that we all are aware of and yet we
conspire to ignore all together. We pretend to block it out but subconsciously
we all are aware of its inevitability and if we are entirely honest we dread
its coming. The fear of death can cripple and cause restlessness in one’s soul.
Christians however ought to reflect on death much. Not in a morbid kind of way
but with the confident expectation that the scriptures encourage (Ps 90:12,
Phil 1:21). The events of the week lead me to reflect on my own life and how I
would want to have lived my life when all has been said and done. This led me
to jot down four things.
A follower of Christ
“Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself.
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else. Make a name the world
remembers”[1]
these words really sparked my reflection. When I am dying, I do not want people
to remember me for the things I have done, but for the master I lived for. I
want people to be remembered as a person who loved and followed Christ with all
his heart, mind and strength.
A godly family man
A Christian’s home is an accurate barometer of their
relationship with Christ and the health of their spirituality. Christian
virtues are first lived out and tested in the home and by this I mean the
relationships with family members. A man’s spirituality is gauged in his roles
as husband and father, just as a woman’s spirituality is gauged in her roles as
wife and mother. As I reflected on my life and the stewardship God has given me
in the home, I realized that the Lord will hold me accountable for how I
related and discipled my wife and children. I want to be remembered for how I
taught and lived out Christ like virtues before my family.
A healthy church member
If the home is the first barometer of my relationship with
Christ, the church is second. And by church I do not mean programs and events
but people. My relationship with the diverse group of people that make up my
local church is a huge reflection on my walk with the Lord. Our horizontal relationships
are a representation of our vertical relationship. It is no wonder that Christ
said ‘by this the world will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another’.
A proclaimer of the gospel
The apostle Paul said to the Corinthians, ‘for I determined
to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.’ (1 Corinth
2:2). People are lost in sin and under the wrath of God, the gospel is God’s
power unto salvation. I therefore want to preach the gospel and tell everyone
of this good news that brings salvation. Nothing else really matters in light
of eternity. I want what of said of a preacher of old to be true of me “To the
Memory of Rev. Mark A. Matthews, Preacher of the Word of God and Friend to
Man.”
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, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus.
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus
