Tag: Christian living

  • Famous Final Words

    Don’t be fooled by the title; Gleanings isn’t going anywhere. We plan to be around as long as God calls us to be here. The title comes from the fact that I thought about famous last words the other evening. Some are ironic; others profound.

    American Civil War General John Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 9, 1864, by a long-range shot from a sharpshooter. He is remembered for his final words, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.

    Peter Abelard, the famous 12th-century philosopher, after a lifetime of study and thought: “I don’t know.” The more we know, the more we learn that we do not know.

    Queen Elizabeth 1: “All my possessions for a moment of time.” A little late to recognize that material goods do not replace other, more valuable things

    Thomas Becket, early chancellor of England, shortly before being murdered by knights of King Henry II: “For the name of Jesus and the protection of the church I am ready to embrace death.” A martyr for the faith.

    Musician Al Jolson: “This is it! I’m going. I’m going.” We all have to go sometimes.

    Author H.G. Wells: “Go away. I’m all right.” He was as wrong about that as he was about Christ.

    French revolutionary George Jacques Danton: “Show my head to the people. It is worth seeing.” George had a colossal ego right until the end.

    Basketball legend “Pistol” Pete Maravich collapsed during a game. His final utterance was: “I feel great.” Perhaps, not so great there, Pete.

    Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, “I’m going, but I’m going in the name of the Lord.” That is a profound ending.

    Many of the words of Jesus were recorded for us by the authors of Scripture. All the words he spoke are profound and inspired, but His final words on the cross strike a chord.

    Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 ESV

    Jesus closes His life with the words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to God the Father. We see his complete trust in his heavenly Father. Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day, offering up his life as the perfect sacrifice and placing himself in God’s hands.

    We would do well to emulate Jesus’ final words in our daily lives. Taking the time to remember God and praying is a great place to start the day. There is no better place than we can be than in the dead center of God’s will.

    Being in the center of His will doesn’t mean things will always be easy. The narrow road is often difficult. Yet, our Lord is Sovereign, and He wants what is best for His children. His will may ordain tough times, but He will not leave us there.

    The last words of Scripture are a blessing:

    The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:21 ESV

    Here is the whole promise of God encapsulated in a few words. God’s grace poured out on those who love Him. What a beautiful promise and ending.

    Until next time, take some time to savor God’s wondrous grace.

    Kevin. 

    SUMMARY

    I’ve been thinking about famous last words lately, from generals to queens to musicians. Comparing them to Jesus’ final words on the cross, only one offers real hope.

    TAKEAWAY

    Queen Elizabeth realized too late that “material goods do not replace other, more valuable things” — you don’t have to wait until your final hour to act on that.

    Jesus’ final words were trust, not fear: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” That’s the same trust you’re called to live out now, not just at the end.

    Scripture’s own last words are a promise for you: God’s grace poured out on those who love Him.

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  • Flakes of Mica

    Meaningless flash compared to real treasure

    We sat at a roadside pullout high in a mountain pass in British Columbia (The Messier Summit). We had stopped for breakfast about a half hour before, and here on the mountaintop seemed to be the perfect place to do our morning devotions.

    Kathy grabbed a chair and her Bible and went off in one direction. I grabbed a chair, my Bible and the dog and went a little way off. Genni, the wonder dog, settled at my feet as I read about mountains in the Old Testament, seated and looking across the valley at more rocky mountaintops.


    The setting was ideal for communing with God. When I was done, I set my Bible down and took the dog for a short stroll.


    As we walked, we came across a rock pile that some road crew had cleared from the road after a small rockslide. The pile glistened in the bright morning sunlight as the sun reflected off large flakes of mica and pyrite on the rocks.

    Fascinated, I picked up a large piece of mica and examined it closely. It was made up of many layers, each of which reflected the sun, but each of which peeled away like onion skin, soon leaving me holding but a dull, worthless rock. The pyrites had me dreaming of gold.


    It struck me that much of our lives are spent in chasing flakes of mica or worthless pyrite. We hunt for valuable treasures, shiny bits of precious metals, for little nuggets of knowledge, for possessions, for status and for recognition. They seem so attractive when we have them in our hand, but in the end they all peel away, leaving us empty and holding nothing of more value than a chunk of rock.


    It’s no wonder Scripture admonishes us to look for things of eternal value, things that will hold up and last forever.


    “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 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.” Matthew 6:19-21 NIV


    What holds up in eternity? A personal relationship with Jesus, sharing His love with others, meeting the needs of those around us, acts of obedience and worship, prayer and praise will all stand the test.

    When you stand in front of Him at the seat of judgment, will you bring an offering of great value from a lifetime of service in His name or stand before Him holding a worthless chunk of stone?

    It’s never too early or too late to begin storing up those treasures in heaven. If you haven’t done so, or you drifted away for a while, it’s time to begin.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    I picked up a piece of mica on a BC mountainside and watched it peel apart into nothing in my hand. It’s a picture of how much of life we spend chasing things that dazzle for a moment and leave us empty.

    TAKEAWAY

    What you’re chasing today can look valuable in your hand and still turn out worthless the moment you’re holding it.

    A relationship with Jesus, obedience, and prayer are what actually hold up under eternity.

    You’ll stand before Him holding either something of real value or nothing at all.

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