I once conducted a funeral for a woman named Elda. She had passed away at the age of 87. As we sat in the mortuary’s chapel, the director came and notified me that it was time to begin. But no one was there. Myself, a soloist (who had come with me from our church), a hospice nurse (who had cared for Elda the last few months of her life), and Elda’s oldest son, were the only people in attendance. It was pretty miserable.
Today I participated in a funeral for a woman named Marcie. She had passed way two days before Christmas at the age of 53. Along with all of her family, hundreds of people filled our church’s sanctuary to pay tribute to this special person. It was pretty awesome.
The striking contrast between these two services is a reflection of how these two women lived their lives. One of these women lived for self, while one lived for others. Can you guess which one?
While she was living, Elda reminded people about how much they didn’t know and how much she did. She regularly told me that our church was too cold (temperature-wise), the music was too loud, and the preaching was too uninspiring. Nothing and no one seemed to please her.
While she was living, Marcie reminded people how much she and God loved them. She regularly complimented and encouraged people in whatever they did, including me. Everything and everyone seemed to please her.
Although I’m reflecting on Elda’s life as I write this, I doubt that anyone has thought much about her, nor remembered her for something good. But since two days before this last Christmas, I and everyone else who knew her, haven’t stopped thinking about and talking about how much we loved and appreciated Marcie.
Most would say that Christianity is summed by one word, love. However, while I certainly would agree with that, our love as Christians cannot be done in a vacuum. It must be lived, breathed, felt, seen, known. Christianity is really summed up by this one word…
…OTHERS
Some people who claim to be Christians live such small lives that no one really seems to notice when they come, or when they go. But other Christians live such enlarged lives that everyone who has been touched by them will never forget, including God. Hebrews puts it this way,
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Heb. 6:10)
Although we are saddened to say goodbye to Marcie for now, we celebrate her life because we are better people as a result. Speaking of celebration, can you imagine the cheers of heaven when Marcie arrived, and God leading the parade?
Imagine now something else a little more sobering, what will your funeral be like? Not so much how many people will be there, but why will people be there? What will their reminiscences of you be, and how long will they be effected by your life? Did you live in such a way that your works, efforts, words, thoughts, etc., could be described as a “labor of love” and “ministry to the saints”?
If you are reading this, you’re still alive and there’s still time. Find someone and allow God to love them through you, or maybe just ask them if they knew Marcie. Chances are they did.
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