When It’s Over, What Will Be the Measure of Your Life?

We measure lots of things: Waistlines, heights of our growing kids, amounts of specific ingredients in a recipe, dimensions of a room, “wingspans” of aspiring professional athletes. Good carpenters excel at measuring – they measure twice, then cut once. Perhaps the most important measure of all, however, is the measure of a person’s life – the impact that endures long after they’re gone.

 

One phrase often used for this is “leaving a legacy." As we grow older, it’s something many of us think about increasingly. Because when all has been said and done, the measure of our lives won’t be how much money we earned, stuff we accumulated, titles we earned at work, places we visited, or other tangible things like that. A legacy reflects the mark we’ve made, the impact we had on the lives of people encountered along life’s journey.

 

When we think legacy, we tend to think about the accomplishments of famous people – George Washington, Marie Curie, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Elvis Presley, Mother Teresa. And without question they made invaluable contributions to our world. But we don’t have to be celebrated statesmen, inventors, scientists, entertainers or humanitarians to leave a legacy. We all will leave one, for better or worse.

 

Recently, a friend of mine, a mentor of sorts for a couple of years, passed from this life. Before I had the bright idea to take drum lessons again – decades after the last time I held drumsticks – I’d never heard of Bill Brewer. Turned out he was a celebrity of sorts in the world of musical entertainment, particularly that of country music.

 

Bill’s career spanned several decades. Another friend, also a drummer, described him as “the closest thing Chattanooga has ever had to a drumming legend. And we have produced some amazing talent from here.” And yet, while drumming expertise will always be part of what he’s remembered for, Bill’s greatest legacy was the impact he had on his students – mostly younger people – who developed into skilled drummers in their own right under his tutelage. 

 

For years he groomed drummers who played at our church’s various venues, and as his wife, Milagra, said, “his students will cherish the memory of Mr. B as their drum teacher and mentor.”

 

A committed Christ follower, Bill had a literal “come to Jesus moment” years ago when he experienced a serious accident in his van while driving back from one of his concert gigs. He escaped with only cuts and bruises, but that event helped him realize it was time to reorder his priorities, including his marriage. 

 

Even though he loved playing drums and remained in demand, Bill chose to devote the rest of his life to serving the Lord very intentionally, including playing regularly with the worship teams at our church. But his greatest impact was teaching drumming – and imparting to his students what it means to have an active faith in Christ. 

 

During my lessons with him we often spent a portion of the time talking about the Scriptures and the exhortation to “do your work for the Lord…knowing you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24). Well before Bill was diagnosed with cancer, we had frequently discussed how his legacy ultimately would carry on through the lives and hearts of the students he had trained.

 

After many years of enduring and enjoying the grind of being on the road playing country music, he had discovered the truth of Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

 

Of course, we can’t all be drummers and drum teachers. But whatever God has called us to do, whatever gifts He’s entrusted to us, we can use to serve and honor Him – and to point others to Him, helping them to see and understand what it means to live one’s faith on a daily basis, imperfectly but consistently.

 

We can do this as an educator, physician or nurse, contractor or construction worker, retail clerk or salesperson, engineer or CPA, writer or editor, chef or baker, attorney or law enforcement officer, airline pilot or Uber driver, executive or administrative assistant, or volunteer. As Jesus challenged His disciples shortly before ascending to heaven, “…you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

 

Whatever we do, wherever we go, we can be like Joshua who declared, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Our determination to do so will truly be the measure of our lives. As British missionary C.T. Studd wrote in a simple poem, 

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.” 

The Two Most Important Days for Any of Us

We certainly enjoy celebrating special days, don’t we? We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and numerous holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and very soon, Memorial Day.

 

What for you is the most important day? Holidays are fun, but for many of us, our date of birth means the most because after all, it’s a very personal special day, one that’s not shared by many people we know. Mark Twain, the celebrated author who also was quite the philosopher, agreed – but only in part.

 

Twain offered a view that in his mind, two days stand out above the rest. He said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." 

 

Each one of us knows the day we were born – but how many of us can point to a day or time when, as Twain suggests, we discovered why we were born? 

 

Early in life we typically coast through life, taking in experiences like drinking from a firehose. But as we get older, some of us start waxing a bit philosophical, asking deep questions such as, “Why am I here?” and “What’s my purpose?” Have you ever done that? If you have, have you arrived at an answer that you find satisfactory?

 

The “why” questions of life are sometimes answered in terms of our activities – by the kinds of work we do, our parenting responsibilities, our accomplishments, or even our standing in the community. However, according to the Bible, those are not sufficient answers for the question of, “Why am I here?”

 

The Westminster Shorter Catechism, on which Reformers collaborated in the mid-1600s to present a clear statement of doctrine and faith, asserts, “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” We might say, “Well, that was nearly 400 years ago!” But when you think about it, the Lord – whom the Scriptures describe as “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) – and the nature of humankind have remained constant through the ages, so it’s fair to give credence to the revered theological declaration.

 

But what about the Bible itself? What can it tell us about why we're here? I have long appreciated the apostle Paul’s very personal expression in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” While none of us would go out of our way to experience sufferings, this is a strong description of one sold out to being a follower of Jesus.

 

The Amplified Version of this verse that I actually chose as my personal purpose statement, expands on this idea. It states, “that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person, more strongly and more clearly….” Imagine a lifetime devoted to getting to know Jesus better and better. Do you think that might have an impact on how we conduct our lives each day?

 

In another place, Paul explains how central faith and trust in Jesus Christ should be. He said, “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

 

Those are excellent generalizations that can apply to every man, woman and young person who’s committed to Christ, but how should the “why” for my earthly existence differ from yours? That’s a question worthy of much discussion, but again I believe the Scriptures give some clear direction.

 

After Paul’s teaching in the second chapter of Ephesians that we’re saved not by our works and effort, but solely on the basis of God’s grace and the faith He gives us, he makes this powerful statement: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Later in the same book, the apostle observes the reason we have persons gifted as prophets and evangelists, pastors and teachers is not so they can do all of God’s work. Instead, their purpose is: 

“to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

 

That doesn’t mean we should be walking around in flowing robes, hands folded in prayer and singing spiritual songs all the time. But that does mean from the moment we awaken to the moment we return to bed, our minds, hearts and motives should be directed toward God and available to take part in His divine purposes.

 

As Colossians 3:17,23 instruct us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

 

No, this doesn’t tell us where we should go to college – or if we should go at all. It doesn’t identify who we should marry or how many kids to have. And it doesn’t specify whether we should become a restaurant chef, school teacher, business or professional person, astronaut, grocery store clerk, serve in the military, or train to be a first responder.

However, it does teach us that whatever we do, our intent should be to honor and glorify God. Then, as we gain an understanding of our abilities, interests and strengths, He can guide us to the life and career paths where we can serve Him best. 

What’s the Use, Anyway? What’s OUR Use?

Looking into our silverware drawer the other day, I noticed something: The spoons, forks and knives weren’t laying in their respective sections asking, “What is my purpose?” “Am I of any use?” “What’s the meaning of being a utensil?” 

There are two reasons for that. First, of course, they’re inanimate; inanimate things don’t talk – or think. (Unless they’re performing in a “Beauty and the Beast” movie where the cups, saucers and candlesticks all prance around and talk with abandon.) Secondly, it’s because the person who picks them up is the one who determines their purpose, use, and meaning.

For example, someone decides the immediate use of a spoon is for eating a bowl of cereal or ice cream, or for stirring creamer into a cup of coffee. The user determines the purpose, not the spoon. The same could be said about forks, knives, spatulas, ladles, etc.

It seems we spend an inordinate amount of time wondering such things of ourselves. We tend to ponder imponderables like: Why am I here? What’s the meaning of life? Or the penetrating question a cinematic theme song of decades ago asked, “What’s it all about, Alfie?”

Not that there’s anything wrong with thinking about these deep matters. We’d all like to believe we’re here for a good reason, that we’re not cosmic accidents lacking purpose or plan. But if our trust is in God, His wisdom and sovereignty, maybe it’s not healthy getting into a mental tangle over this.

Reading recently from my favorite devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, author Oswald Chambers suggested, “We should quit asking ourselves, ‘Am I of any use?’ and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to [God]. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.”

When we first read this, it can sound somewhat demeaning. What does Chambers mean, “we really are not of much use to God”? But the Lord’s work proceeded quite well for countless years before we arrived on the scene, and His work will continue long after we’re gone. So as much as it pains us to admit, we’re not indispensable.

At the same time, we are privileged to know that God can and will use us. In Jeremiah 29:11, He declares, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Earlier in the same book God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). It’s amazing to consider that even before he became a gleam in his mother’s eyes, the prophet Jeremiah had been chosen by God for a very special work.

Most of us haven’t been selected to serve as prophets, or preachers, or foreign missionaries, but as followers of Jesus Christ we can have the assurance that He does have a very special role for us – a calling we each have been created uniquely to fulfill.  

As the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians asserts, “But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it…. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed [people with different gifts]….” (1 Corinthians 12:24-28). 

Just as each fork, spoon and knife in our kitchen drawer can provide very useful service according to our wishes, each of us can rejoice that when and as needed, God “will work through us all the time,” as Chambers wrote. So with joy, as Paul exhorted believers in ancient Rome, we can “offer [ourselves] to God…and offer the parts of [our] body to him as instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:11-13).

Life: On Purpose – or Accidental?

There’s a movie I have never seen, “The Accidental Tourist,” based on a novel I have never read. But the title intrigues me – is it about someone that took a wrong turn and wound up merged into a tour group? In 2008 a film was released called, “The Accidental Husband.” I think its sequel was called, “The Intentional Divorce.” There’s even a wine distillery called The Accidental Wine Company. Oops, we must have left the grape juice out too long!

It just seems so much in life goes on that’s accidental – and I’m not referring to fender-benders. Too many of us float through life, like waves “blown and tossed by the wind” as James 1:6 describes it. Some of us stumble through careers as aimlessly as flipping through TV channels with the remote. We connect and disconnect relationships haphazardly. “Life happens,” the bumper sticker informs us.

Maybe that’s one explanation for Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose-Driven Life, being so well-received. Deep down we sense the need for purpose – a cause for simply being. Why am I here? What’s my purpose? Answer those questions, set sail accordingly, and you’ll find fulfillment.

Years ago I was challenged to formulate a personal “purpose statement,” an expression of what I should be about. That seemed an excellent idea. It would be good to have a purpose – a life target to aim for.

I didn’t have to go to great lengths of articulate my purpose. Someone had already done it for me. In the first part of Philippians 3:10 in the Amplified Translation of the Bible, the apostle Paul states, “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him; perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.”

When I read that, I simply thought, “That’s it. If that was good enough for Paul, it’s good enough for me.”

In the years since, that purpose statement has served well. In one way or another (albeit not perfectly) everything I do – writing and editing, photography, mentoring, being husband, dad and grandfather – flows out of that declaration.

Some things in my life are accidental, often in a good way, but I’d like to think an underlying purpose serves to guide my daily activities and interactions.

Do you know your purpose?

Why Are We Here?

It has been my privilege to consult with two companies that have well-thought-out, clearly stated mission statements. These written documents answer two questions for them: Why are we here? What do we do?

As individuals, it’s important that we can also answer those same questions. Last week I was discussing this with several professional people. Some of them admitted that, caught up in the frenetic pace of the typical workday, they rarely pause to consider, “Why am I here?” or “What am I doing?”

For followers of Jesus, however, the Bible directly provides us with the answers for both questions. We know from the Scriptures that we cannot earn God’s acceptance. His grace – or unmerited favor – comes to us as a gift. But that does not mean what we do is not important. In fact, work is a big part of why we are here.

Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” And after we read that the Word of God “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:17 tells us, “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

From the beginning, as recounted in the opening chapter of Genesis, God’s plan was for humankind to perform work on earth, to “fill the earth and subdue it” – which theologians describe as “the cultural mandate.”

Each day, whether we sit at a computer, build cabinets, practice medicine, teach a class, run a company, or perform countless other tasks, God is calling us to good works, performing them in ways that honor Him and serve others. Not to earn His love and favor, but because we have His love and favor.

The People We Meet

My friend Jim passed away last week. He hired me in 1978 as editor for his newspaper in suburban Houston, Texas, and my three years there proved pivotal for my career. Jim was a hard-working, multi-faceted individual whose exploits ranged from Marine pilot to director of photography for National Geographic to entrepreneur.

I learned much from Jim about newspapering, photojournalism, business and perseverance, and I’m a different person for having known him. Thankfully, I was able to talk with him by phone a week before he died and again express appreciation for his impact on my life.

Someone has suggested that years from now we’ll be the same except for the books we read and the people we meet. (Another person has added “the food we eat” – but that’s fodder for another blog.) We don’t read books as we once did – thanks to the Internet, cable TV and myriad other forms of communication. However, the idea that our lives are greatly influenced by the people who cross our paths still holds true.

Throughout our tenure on earth, dozens – perhaps even hundreds – of people leave their imprint on our lives. I can think of family members, teachers, friends, pastors, bosses and coworkers that each have touched my life in unique, invaluable ways. They have helped in molding and shaping me into the person I have become.

Ultimately, I believe this is the measure of our lives – our legacy. It’s not about the money we earn, stuff we collect, titles we hold, or awards we win. It’s about making a difference. Even if we can influence just one life in a positive way, our own lives have significance and meaning.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Whose life is better today because of knowing you?