Epitaph – Have It Your Way
So often when someone dies, the family and friends are scrambling trying to find the words to say in regard to the deceased. As I was considering this point, I thought of a few men who took it out of the hands of family and friends by writing their own words. In essence, they were expressing their confidence in their completed work; being able to say with boldness, “Write this on my headstone, plaque, or memorial.”
Do you have confidence? Will you have confidence? How many of us can look over the course of our lives into our past, then examine our present standing, and rest with certainty knowing our future will bring rewards because of our finished work?
Listen to what confidence sounds like.
“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won’t have any money to leave behind. I won’t have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that’s all I want to say.” — Martin Luther King Jr
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV; Apostle Paul)
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:28-30 (NIV; JESUS)
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “Talk is Cheap.” It’s been around for a long time, and it’s still true today. “Talk is Cheap” is used to highlight one’s disbelief in another concerning statements being made. Do not let this phrase be said about you, seek to fulfill your purpose in Christ Jesus. I challenge you today to be committed to writing your own epitaph, and those who remain after your life ends will simply say AMEN to what YOU have written.
