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.” 

Going From ‘Who’s Who’ to ‘Who’s He?’

I’m going to give you a brief list of people: Ryne Duren. Luis Arroyo. Ron Perranoski. Dennis Eckersley. Goose Gossage. Bruce Sutter. Mariano Rivera. Rollie Fingers.

 

Any of those names sound familiar? Do you remember any of them? 

 

Each was an accomplished relief pitcher in the Major Leagues. In their heyday, they all were household names for avid fans of professional baseball. Some have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, as is the case with once-famous people in any profession, fewer and fewer people remember them despite their considerable accomplishments.

 

There are many other names I could have chosen, men renowned for coming in from the bullpen in the late innings to save the ballgame. But the point is the same: Fame is fleeting. Though folks may revel in it for a time, the page soon turns, redirecting the acclaim to other people.

 

You can search for information about these individuals on the Internet, and they might have been included in old editions of Who’s Who in America. But before you know it, they’ve moved from Who’s Who to “Who’s He?”

 

This isn’t to disparage the achievements and lives of these men or others. It’s simply true that in most cases the things we’re known for best are soon forgotten.

 

In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon – generally regarded as the wisest and richest man of his time – offered a somewhat cynical view of earthly success, wealth and pleasures. Of which, incidentally, he had determined to experience as much as possible. 

 

He wrote, perhaps with the pen of a pessimist, “There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow” (Ecclesiastes 1:11).

 

Then, to underscore that he was not a theoretical philosopher but someone who knew this firsthand, Solomon complained, “…My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

 

In essence the Israelite king was saying no matter who you are – a celebrated athlete, highly successful businessperson, acclaimed movie or TV star, maintenance person, gifted surgeon, retail clerk, honored schoolteacher or college professor, prize-winning scientist, or even a popular preacher – your time in the ‘limelight,’ so to speak, will one day come to an end.

 

One’s place in the locker room, classroom, office, store, laboratory, worksite or sanctuary will go to someone else. Worldly honors and fame all too quickly fade. In words that echo the sentiments of Solomon, a New Testament passage declares, “…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

 

Now let me give you another list: Simon Peter; Andrew; James and John, sons of Zebedee; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew; James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. And we’ll add Saul of Tarsus, better known as Paul. Do you recognize these names?

 

By profession they were nobodies: fishermen; a despised tax collector; a political activist; a religious persecutor. Yet today, each is known by countless millions who follow Jesus Christ. All but one – Judas Iscariot – left an everlasting legacy. 

 

Judas, of course, bears the shame of being the greatest betrayer of all time, the one who sold his allegiance to Christ for 30 pieces of silver. But the others are celebrated nearly 2,000 years after their earthly lives ended because of their faithfulness to a divine mission.

 

Shortly before His arrest, mock trial and crucifixion, Jesus had called His followers together and explained the special calling He was giving to them: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). He wasn’t talking about grapes and apples.

 

After His resurrection and just before ascending to heaven, Jesus completed the assignment. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

The apostles remained faithful to this commission to the end, all but one being martyred for never unwavering in their trust and commitment to Christ. Their names, mission, and fruit that truly lasts are remembered today – not because of their extraordinary talents and skills, but because their devotion to the living God.

 

C.T. Studd was a British missionary who served in China, India and Africa. He formed the World Evangelisation Crusade (now WEC International) which continues to minister in many parts of the world. For many people, he is probably remembered best for his poem, “Only One Life,” Toward the end of it Studd wrote these words:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

 

So, here’s the good news. You might not have a household name. Like most of us, you might be more likely to be included in “Who’s He (or She)?” than Who’s Who. But if we’re faithful to follow Christ, seeking to bear fruit that will last as He sees fit, we’ll be remembered where it matters most. For all of eternity.

What Will Happen ‘Just a Few Minutes from Now’?

Have you thought much about eternity lately? Probably not. For most of us, just getting through today is enough of a challenge. I do know that, as one young student told her teacher, “Forever is a really long time,” and it seems to me, eternity is forever and then some.

Whether we like to think about it or not, eternity is in the future for every one of us. And even if we have many years of life on earth remaining, when viewed from an eternal perspective, it’s still just blip on the radar screen of time. So, how are we to proceed? The Scriptures can offer some useful insights.

 

Even an extremely long life – 80, 90 or even 100 years – is just a “vapor,” according to James the apostle. He wrote, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist [vapor] that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:3-14).

 

Well, that’s a pretty pessimistic way of looking at things, don’t you think? Many of us already have plans for vacations next year, are contemplating a new car, or maybe changing careers. Thinking about our lives as a “vapor” or “mist” is kind of discouraging. Maybe, but in the eternal scheme of things, it’s true.

 

An old friend of mine and a former boss, Ted DeMoss, used to give a talk called “Just a Few Minutes from Now.” He’d reflect on family members or friends who had died and gone to heaven, musing that even if he lived for a long time, in terms of eternity he’d be seeing them again “just a few minutes from now.”

 

As you get older and see more and more friends and family members leaving this life, you think about things like this more often. It’s not morbid, just realistic. You start to assess what you’ve already done and what you hope to do yet, the Lord willing. Another friend of mine calls it “living in the dash,” referring to the dash nestled between the date of birth and date of death on a tombstone.

 

This makes it all the more imperative to take to heart the admonition of Colossians 3:23-24, “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.”

 

It was British missionary C.T. Studd who wrote, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done.” Again, he wasn’t being melancholy or morose; Studd was acknowledging the “vaporish” nature of life and the importance of striving to leave the best mark possible before it ends.

 

For some of us, the first step is making certain where we’ll be going when the door to this life closes and the doorway to the rest of eternity opens. The apostle Peter referred to this when he wrote, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10).

 

How can we make God’s calling, His “election” sure? The Scriptures teach there is only one way. Jesus Christ boldly declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). We find this affirmed in Acts 4:12. While speaking to members of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Peter asserted, “This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 

As we consider everything we’re looking forward to, our dreams, plans and expectations, it’s easy to reason, “Yeah, but I’ve got lots of time. I can deal with that later.” Maybe – but maybe not. Speaking to His disciples not only about death but also the end of time as we know it, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come” (Mark 13:31-33).

 

We find a vivid illustration of this in 1 Corinthians 15:52, concerning Christ’s second coming. It states, “…we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

As we go through the busyness of each day, all of our commitments and challenges, we should always keep in mind what lies ahead “just a few minutes from now.” 

Focusing On the Things That Really Matter in Life

Whenever possible, I give credit where it’s due, whether borrowing an insight from a friend, quoting from a book, or even using something I’ve read on social media. However, recently I came across a list called “Things That Really Matter in Life” and although I would like to give proper attribution, I have to admit I don’t know the originator.

 

Nevertheless, it’s too good not to discuss. So I’ll cite and comment on parts of it, with appreciation to Mr. or Ms. Anonymous. Each item on the list starts with, “3 things in life that….” Here they are, for your consideration:

 

3 things in life that never come back when gone: Time. Words. Opportunity.

3 things in life that should never be lost: Peace. Hope. Honesty.

3 things in life that are most valuable: Love. Faith. Prayer.

3 things in life that make a person: Hard work. Sincerity. Commitment.

3 things in life that are constant: Change. Death. God.

 

Reading through this thoughtful list, I’ve noticed one common theme: Not one of these can be purchased with money. They are, in fact, priceless. Which is interesting, because of the things we spend the most money on – cars and houses and clothes and gadgets, education, travel, power, career advancement, status – none of them appear on the list above.

We can spend money on “time management” systems and devices, but in reality, time passes at the same pace, no matter what we try to do. We can’t stop its passage. All we can do is decide how to use the time we have – when we have it.

 

The saying, “Talk is cheap,” is true to an extent. But talk can also be costly, when we say the wrong things to the wrong people at the wrong time. When we miss out on an opportunity, we usually can’t buy it back no matter how hard we try.

 

With the chaos and turmoil of the past year – which threatens to continue into this new year – what we wouldn’t pay for peace and hope, right? And honesty? These days that seems in shorter supply than toilet paper!

 

Most of us received gifts for Christmas; some got lots of them. But you can’t buy genuine love. Faith is another priceless intangible. I’ve learned it’s worth more than the combined net worth of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and as many other multi-billionaires you can think of. And you can’t put a price tag on prayer, the sacred privilege of communing and communicating with the Creator of the universe.

 

In today’s world, so many people seem determined to get “free stuff,” things they have not earned and, probably, don’t deserve. But what employer wouldn’t want to hire people dedicated to working hard, are sincere in everything they do, and committed to doing their very best, regardless of the circumstances?

 

Many of us like change only when it’s on our terms, but things still change whether we like them to or not. And often, the changes are not of our preference. Death was much in the news over the past 12 months, but it’s the destination for us all, pandemic or no pandemic. Which leads us to the last, but most important of the three constants listed: God.

 

In his grand, but often cynical Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon essentially affirms the theme of the above list. He opens by declaring, “’Meaningless! Meaningless,’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Tell us exactly how you feel, Solomon! Don’t beat around the bush, okay?

 

He proceeds to explain, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work…. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). 

 

Wow! Clearly, the great king of Israel didn’t have the spiritual gift of encouragement. But after elaborating about how futile are many of the things we pursue so earnestly, he arrives at a reasonable conclusion: “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15).

 

What Solomon meant by this becomes clearer as we read the book of Proverbs, most of which he wrote. He speaks extensively about such things as discipline, hard work, wisdom, prudence, faithfulness, relationships, generosity, humility, honesty, integrity and right living. Maybe this wise man served as the inspiration for the list above.

 

As Solomon observed, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Another wise man, C.T. Studd, famously wrote, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” We could do worse than make these things the focus of our lives.