In 1981 a game was released that became a national sensation, one I played with friends often well into the night 35 years ago. It was called Trivial Pursuit. I do not know if it is still around but it sure was fun back then. The goal was to answer enough questions about ‘trivia’ to complete your game piece before others did. Somehow knowing little factoids about the history and entertainment made us feel like winners. So what’s with mentioning that game today?
In the past 7 days I have spoken at 3 funerals: 2 for young men, 1 for an older man. I have left each of those encounters asking myself if I am living in way that matters or if I am merely playing “trivial pursuit?” Memorial services are so different. Some are celebratory occasions where people remember a wonderful person’s contribution to the world. Sometimes I can feel the sorrow and anger in the room because the deceased left behind a whole lot of regrets, unfinished business, or broken hearts. Sometimes I there is little to say. Others there are not enough words.
The late Stephen Covey taught that those who live most
effectively always ‘begin with the end in mind.’ If we are aware of the finite amount of time
we have here on earth and match that with heavenly hope, we will surely live in
a way that is better!
One does not have
to be preoccupied with dying in order to live wisely. However, fools live as
though there is always going to be a tomorrow. The truth is that we are not spending
time, we are investing it. Wise
investors find rich rewards!
I keep my
mind and heart familiar with Moses’ Psalm in which we read this prayer:
"Seventy years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty.
But even the best of these years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we are gone." (Psalm 90:10, NLT) So …
"Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in
wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NLT)
Christians understand that life is a continuum – that when the lid on the casket closes it is ‘an end’ but not ‘the end.’ This life to which we are so attached is actually the temporary one. The permanent awaits. "For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing." (2 Corinthians 5:1-2, NLT)
Those who keep ‘step with the Spirit’ have made the connection of passing world with
the eternal. So, at death,
they step from time to eternity, entering fully into what they already
know in part. Death is a transition point, one life exchanged for another, not
a final destination. When we are alive in Christ, the Bible says that the sting
of death is removed, the dark sorrow
brightened by the certain hope that "the perishable must clothe itself
with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has
been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the
saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in
victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:53-54, NIV)
Two questions beg our responses.
Are we ready to
meet God? And …
Have we left behind no unfinished business?
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your hope through Christ Jesus Who gives life eternal through grace unmeasured! I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:24-27, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
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How I long to breathe the air of Heaven
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the one who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity
There will be a day
When all will bow before Him
There will be a day
When death will be no more
Standing face to face
With He who died and rose again
Holy holy is the Lord
And ev'ry prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith
We sang through doubt and fear
In the end we’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears
And on that day we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice a thousand generations
Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Forever He shall reign
So let it be today
We shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the Saints
We raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God
Who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy holy is the Lord
Holy holy is the Lord
Holy holy is the Lord
Bill Johnson | Brian Johnson | Chris Davenport | Phil Wickham
© 2020 CDavs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Songs for TIM (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Bethel Music Publishing
CCLI License # 810055
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