HOW TO WRITE YOUR EPITAPH


TEXT: Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

MESSAGE
Few years ago, 1997 to be precise, dignitaries including Hillary Clinton, Madame Aline Chrétien, the wife of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien; leaders from East and West; leaders of various religion, Christians, Muslims, Bhudists, Judists, etc, all converged in one place. Their sword of animosity were shealted for a moment and their pomp were silent for a while. It was like the world stood still. At the center of it all, a little woman, Mother Teresa. A woman who lived her life as an epitome of love, touching the untouchables, giving hope to the hopeless. When her health began to deteriorate, Doctors told her she should "slow down." Her reply: "I have all eternity to rest, and there is still much to do ... Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others." No wonder in her death, the world stood still for such a life lived in love. The former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar said: "She is the United Nations. She is peace in the world." Her final words were ''Jesus, I love you. Jesus I love you''. Her epitaph is a quote from Jesus: "Love one another as I have loved you."

Friend, what shall your last day look like? What shall you be remembered for? You may call it weird for all I care, but pause, think a little. just imagine your last day on earth--assuming Christ tarries and you died before rapture--when you breath your last and close your eyes eternally. Assuming that someone cared to write an epitaph for you, what will be written on your grave stone? When all has been said and done? What will you be remembered for?

Beloved, it is what dominates your life, what you lived for that you shall be remembered for. Are you living just for your self and for the now, or do you have eternity in view. He that loses sight of the ultimate becomes a slave of the immediate. If all you do is to acquire consume, and live for yourself. Well the end shall tell. An African adage goes thus: "When the devouring fire dies, it covers its face with ashes. But the banana tree, gentle as it may be, it replaces itself with posterity''. The EasyEnglish version puts our text this way, ''It is a pleasure to remember good people. But when bad people die, everyone will forget their name.''

You know how the just writes an indelible epitaph? They carve it in the hearts of men with the pen of love. No heart touched by love will ever forget you--no, not even in death. No body cares how much you know till they know how much you care. Love is the greatest of virtues and it has others as its focus. Love--the Jesus kind of love first denies himself and give up his life for others. If you invest your life in loving others, your memory shall be sweet.

Which shall be your story, what shall be your epitaph? The choice is yours. You can start carving them now--on the hearts of men of course.
Good morning.

PRAYER
Thank God for teaching us the virtue of love

Thank God for giving us the grace to make our lives count through love

Pray for more grace to be able to love all men no matter who they are

Pray for the church that our hearts, leaders and messages may be redirected towards love

Pray for the Nation that love will permeate our hearts resultng in peace

Pray for me too

FURTHER STUDY
John 15:12-18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Gen 36&37
Psalm 27
Luke 20:27-47

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