AtomLiving for a Testimony
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Pastor,” she asked, “Would you say something nice about my husband at his funeral like you did for so-and-so’s husband’s funeral?”
And, people of God, you need to know that this was a real question asked by a real person at a real funeral. And actually, it’s asked more often than anyone would know because it reflects the deeper question, “Did my life make a difference it the lives of others…or not?”
It’s much the same question Tony Campolo asked a group of young people years ago, “Young People, are you living your living seeking TITLES…or so people will give TESTIMONY to the difference you have made in their lives. When your family and friends gather for your funeral, after they through some dirt on your grave and go back to the church, will they talk about the TITLE you have earned, or will they give TESTIMONY to the difference you made in their lives?”
My reflecting about this comes from two places:
First…from Pastor Wade’s “Over Coffee” from last month when he reflected upon the difference that Don Danielson (Karen Bimberg’s father) made in the lives of so many in his years of caring for people as a musician. I was deeply touched as I read Wade’s “testimony” to the life of a wonderful, faithful follower of Jesus.
Second…I couldn’t help but think of this when I picked up the Tuesday, April 20th Fargo Forum and read the headline “Couple remembered for service to church”. The article continued by giving testimony to the difference a young couple, who had been killed in a motorcycle accident, made in the life of their church (Peace Lutheran in Fargo) and the lives of several individuals who had been touched through their service.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ…what do you want the headline in the paper to read when it comes time for your funeral to be announced?
Very simply, the answer comes from how you are living and serving people today!!
Last Sunday in worship, while reflecting upon what it means to “know the end of the story” Pastor Wade suggested:
If we knew we were going to end up at the free throw line at the end of the game with the game on the line, we would surely shoot an extra 25 free throws after practice every night. If we knew that a one point better score on our ACT test would get us into the college of our choice or win a $10,000 scholarship, we would prepare a bit better. If we know we were going to meet the lovely lady we have wanted to ask to the prom at the Dairy queen, we might have showered after practice. If we knew…
We do know actually. We do know about our mortality: and our immortality!! Lent reminds us we do know that “from dust we came and to dust we return”. Easter reminds us Jesus has prepared a place for us…a place we can only see dimly today: someday we will see face to face.
Until then…we live prepared. We live in ways so that indeed, the pastor can say some nice things about you at your funeral…because…what s/he says simply reflects the ways we lived, as followers of the Risen Christ!!
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Today I called and visited with you about a homeless man and when looking up your phone number on the internet - found this article. It is a good reminder of the the purpose of our work. Thank you, I am printing this and sharing it with our staff.