Daily Scripture:
Jeremiah 6:16 Here is what Adonai says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask about the ancient paths,
‘Which one is the good way?’
Take it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not take it.’
Luke 11:10 For everyone who goes on asking receives; and he who goes on seeking finds; and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened.(Complete Jewish Bible).
Prayer Tip:
As the Funeral Program Director here at Resurrection, I often meet with congregants to talk about preplanning for a funeral or memorial service. We discuss their preferences in what they’d like included in their service – songs, Scripture, having a visitation or reception, etc. We talk about their faith lives and about other aspects of their lives. We even have a questionnaire for folks to fill out with all of this type of information.
Two of the questions on this form ask about what kind of legacy people are leaving behind: “What is the most important thing you have done in your life?” and “At the end of your life celebration, what are the most important things people will hear about you?”
Of all the questions on the form, these are the two people seem to struggle with answering the most. I don’t think they struggle because they haven’t done anything important or significant, but because so often our definitions of “important” and “significant” are skewed. We tend to think these words mean something that is done on a grand scale and impacts many people – and sometimes they do – but more often important and significant actions only impact or make a difference to few people.
My favorite answers to these questions are usually the simplest: I was kind; I was a good parent; I helped people. These answers all exemplify lives of love. And isn’t that what we’re here to do? To help make earth a little more like the kingdom of heaven through loving others? I wonder, if we were to keep those two questions in mind as we live our daily lives, how much more intentionally we’d be able to leave behind a better legacy….
Lord God,
Thank you for the legacies left behind throughout history, in our churches, and in our families that have impacted us and shaped us to be who we are. Help us to live our lives, in big and small ways, so that we, too, can make a difference for others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Angela LaVallie Tinsley, Resurrection Funeral Ministry)
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You might also like:
- My ways allow you to build a substantial, durable life
- “Treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you”
- You cannot serve both God and wealth
- Seek to please God instead of trying to impress people
- True goodness is internal, not external
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
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