Last Words Living

It is important to begin with the end in mind, as your last words will be a reflection of what in life was important to you. As a follower of Jesus Christ your expressions will probably include God’s faithfulness, love of family and gratitude for your salvation. You will not be thinking about how much more money you can make, the next deal around the corner or more stuff to accumulate. Your main focus will be your loving Heavenly Father, your caring family and heaven. Last words represent lasting priorities.

These are concerns that capture us today for they will be all that matters tomorrow. Your musing on the last things tends to keep life in its proper perspective. So do you live like you are dying, or do you float through life oblivious to the obvious? Every moment counts in God’s scheme of things; life is a great rehearsal for heaven. Have you auditioned for Him? Are you playing your part with passion? What’s your Savior’s script for your life?

“Last words living” means you have thought about your obituary. When your lifeless body is horizontal and cold what do you want others to remember about you? As they respectfully walk by, what will they say? Hopefully their last words about you will be something like: “They loved God and people. Their family was priority. She could not get enough of her husband and kids. The orphanage in Africa was their family’s focus.”

“Instead of lavishing more stuff on themselves, they spent at least a week a year as a family with the poorest of the poor. He led his family to give of themselves for Christ’s sake.” You want the last conversations of others to describe your career as a means to an end, not an end for ego’s sake. You allowed your work to serve Kingdom purposes rather than selfish purposes. Your children practice generosity, because they observed your quiet, but significant giving over the years.

Make your last words the language for a lasting legacy of love for God and people. Stay engaged with God today, as He is the scriptwriter, producer and director of your life. Strive to win “God’s Oscar”, so that your last words will be a commendation of Christ’s faithfulness. At life’s end Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

Do I live like I am dying? What last words do I want to leave with my family?

Related Readings: Genesis 50:16; 2 Samuel 23:1-3; Luke 23:34; John 17:4

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?