Glorious Life in Pieces

Do you have goals? Maybe a determination to rise to the top of your field? Or running a marathon? Or getting married or making a relationship better? Goals. I’ve had many over the years. Goals are noble. Goals are good. Goals keep us going in our desired direction.

One of my main goals in life currently is quite simple…

And some may think trite.

It’s to stay healthy enough to interact with my grandchildren and watch them grow up. Simply put, to stay alive.

If we get real honest, it’s that what we all strive for? To stay alive? To be able to do the things we want to do and live life to the fullest?

But our reality is no matter how many pushups we do, or how many vegetables we eat, or how much we stay on top of our routine doctor visits and wellness evaluations, we will all die. All of us. For sure. We can count on it. We might be able to delay that date by doing all the “right” things for good health and longevity, but our end is inevitable. Maybe that’s one reason most of us are so uncomfortable with funerals—it points us to our own end.

End here on earth anyway.

But while we are here on earth…

What will matter?

At the top of the list will be how we treated other people.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

– Ephesians 4:32

Did we wrong anyone or cause another harm?

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

– Colossians 3:12

Have we acted prideful or put down another?

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

– Galatians 5:13

Have we shown our family the same kindness that we put out into the world?

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

– Ephesians 6:4

How have we been in our marriage?

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

– Hebrews 13:4

How did our life affect others?

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

– John 13:34-35

And possibly the most important question of all…

What did we do with Jesus?

Did we love Him?

Did we show others His love?

Did our life reflect Jesus’s love?

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

– Matthew 5:15-16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

– John 3:16

I dare say, in the end this is what will matter. And it matters today too.

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.