How Will You Be Remembered?

“Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had placed his hands on him; and the Israelites listened to him and did just what the Lord had commanded Moses. No prophet ever again arose in Israel like Moses, who knew the Lord face to face. He did all the signs and wonders the Lord had sent him to do …” Deuteronomy 34:9-11

The other day, I did something most would consider a bit strange; I wrote my eulogy. In the process of drawing up all the information my sons will need to close my accounts and such (no, there’s nothing wrong with my health – that I know of, at least), I began to ponder my homegoing. What do I wish those I leave behind to remember most about me? It all narrowed down to one thing: I want my life and my death to be all about the loving God I serve. I wish the last thing people hear to be, not so much about me, as about Him.

I love the way Moses’ life is summarized: “He knew the LORD face to face; he did all the signs and wonders the LORD had sent him to do.” Take Joseph, the father of Jesus: not much more is said about Joseph after the birth of Jesus—other than the incident at the temple when Jesus was twelve—yet this one verse stands out: “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded” (Matthew 1:24).

Read through Hebrews, chapter 11, an obituary of sorts for men and women God anointed and used for His glory. By faith, Abraham . . .; by faith, Moses . . .; by faith . . . The list goes on. They are known as the Heroes of the Faith. What an epitaph!

Which begs the question: how will you and I be remembered?

Prayer: Lord, you are the center of all things. May our lives radiate your love, your humility, your grace. May we live in such a manner that those we leave behind say of us, “She/he lived a life of service and obedience to God.”