What do the grave stones mean? What is our memorial?

Today was our Memorial Day service at church. I was glad that it was focused more on a Biblical perspective of what memorials are and should be, rather than the Lee Greenwood love fest that I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women who have died for our country and feel blessed to live in America, with every freedom imaginable....but I'm just not the patriotic American I used to be. That being said, I gained a new perspective from today's message and it had nothing to do with America. It had a lot to do with sacrifice, legacy, and how my life needs to be about pleasing God.


The scripture from today was out of Joshua 4:1-9. I really cannot go back and recap the story because God was speaking to me while I was listening and I sort of had twelve kinds of things running through my head at once. First, I got to thinking about what my funeral will be like. Who will attend? What will it look like? What words will be said of me? Will I not even experience death but be raptured up when Jesus calls us home? 


I can remember the best "funeral" that I ever attended-it was a friend of mine's dad's funeral who had lost his battle with colon cancer. It was not a funeral but rather a church worship service that took place at The Grove in Maysville. Wow! His family spoke of fond memories, of what a Godly man he was, and how he served others. We sang songs. We praised God. They had a reception. People were smiling, hugging, and laughing---not your typical funeral. It was nothing short of beautiful. Those folks took literally the verse that says "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord" and they knew their father was in a better place than any of us. I pray that my funeral is something close to that. Please sing my favorite Christian songs and donate money to missions/children in poverty in my memory.


Now that my morbid moment of the day is over, I want to continue contemplating what my memorial will be. What will I leave behind? Will the way I have lived my life leave people knowing my heart? Will I have pointed to Him? Every day, I try to pray "May I be a light in this dark world for You. Help others see You in me and use my actions and words for Your glory". 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

It's not going to matter what my eulogy says. It is not going to matter what some preacher stands up and says about me. It is not going to matter what my grave stone says. What matters is how I treat people and what they remember about me. This reminds me of a quote from the wise old fella Oswald Chambers. 

"The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack."

What matters is that I lived a life of obedience for my Heavenly Father accomplishing His will for my life instead of chasing my own. What will people remember about me? Did I choose to love them as I should have? Did I make a difference? Will people genuinely have good things to say about me or the usual superficial compliments? Will I leave a legacy that points people to Jesus? We've all heard the usual "you can't take it with you when you go" and yet we still want more money in our bank accounts, more things to fill our houses, and the list of "more" goes on and on. That want of more keeps us from leaving the kind of legacy that I believe God wants us to. The kind of memorial that really matters.

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Geeze, I need to work on that.... For about two months after we got back from Haiti the second time, I couldn't even buy food without feeling guilty. Seriously. I would feel sick and disgusted with myself every time I even thought about buying an outfit. Now I'm wanting a new summer wardrobe, a renovated front yard, a luxury vacation, and eyeing those cute, redesigned Kia Sorentos. And for WHAT? What this spoiled-rotten American girl needs is yet another trip to a third world country to get myself back in gear. To remind me of what's really important and what I'm really here for. Here's my personal prayer for this coming week that I just happened to find at the most appropriate time (I love God's humor).....

"Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word." Psalm 119:37

and

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal". Matthew 6:19

God doesn't tell us to give up things merely for the sake of giving them up or to look "Christian" in the eyes of others. He wants us to sacrifice ourselves and live humbly before Him so that we can know Him and be about His work more than our own. For us to be focused on what's really important in this life--our memorial for Him.

A memorial is not meant to honor a person, it's meant to honor God. 

Who or what will your memorial honor?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of these things today-so vividly that I know it only comes from you! I pray that my memorial honors You every step of the way......I've got WORK TO DO!

Because I'm really into music worship and it always seems to speak to me.....here are some songs that go along with my thoughts today & leave me shouting "Thanks, Lord!":

Legacy- Nichole Nordeman 

(Wow, just looked up the lyrics to this & we're pretty much on the same wave length)

I Refuse- Josh Wilson

My Own Little World- Matthew West