Thursday, May 28, 2009

Redeeming the Time

My Uncle B, whose funeral I attended yesterday, did a good job of "redeeming the time"(KJV) or "making the most of every opportunity"(NIV) during his life as Paul says in Ephesians 5:16. At my uncle's funeral, they gave people a chance to stand up and tell how Uncle B had made a difference in their lives. There were a number of people who said that Uncle B demonstrated what Jesus was like to them.


Funerals quite often make me reflect back on my life and consider if I am "redeeming the time". What will people say about me when I am gone? Will people have seen Jesus' love in me? Will they have known that every minute of every day was lived for Jesus? More importantly, what will Jesus say when I meet him? Will He say, "Well done, good and faithful servant?"


I don't want to get caught up in doing MORE stuff, though. I want to ask if I'm doing the right things. I have learned not to equate filling my schedule with serving God. I spend a lot of time schooling the kids and cleaning house. Those are just as important as any "church" activity because they are leading my children closer to Jesus. My spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible study are also critical activities as long as they are what Jesus wants me to be doing right then. Staying on track with Jesus needs to be as natural as breathing. I'm not there yet, but it is a goal.


Funerals also make me think about what I want done at my funeral and what I want done with my body. Actually, I'm not real picky about what the family does with my body. I do lean toward cremation, but that's really left up to who's left behind after I go. I do know, though, that I want lots of music and reminiscence at my funeral. I understand that there will be tears and sorrow, but I want the music and speaking to reflect the joy of a soul that has gone to be with Jesus. I want there to be lots of music, particularly music that praises the Lord and celebrates His love. I want the speaking to be short and sweet, but include an explanation of the Gospel.



What do you think about after a funeral? Have you made plans for your own funeral? Do you get all serious about your life plans again?


1 comment:

KC said...

What good points you make! I never realized until my pawpaw died, that you really never know how much a person has impacted another until after they're gone. Why don't we talk about that sort of stuff when they're living? My mom says that still after 3 years after my pawpaw's death, there isn't a week that goes by that someone doesn't tell her what a good man he was and what an impact they made on their life. As Curtis put it----he left a "legacy". That reminds me, have you heard the song Legacy by Nicole Nordeman? I have a little different take on it since I heard her perform it in concert and explain why she wrote the song. It's about leaving a legacy for our kids, pointing them to Christ, walking with Him everyday. As you even pointed out, it's in the simple things in life too. Thanks for sharing! Unfortunately, C doesn't like to talk about death too much so we haven't made any decisions in that regard.