What Will You Be Remembered For?

I recently heard an elder message that I began disagreeing with (don’t worry, we’ll end up at the same ultimate outcome). It was one of those great messages about introspection and reflection. The elder started by asking how you wanted to be remembered.

He explained his long career working with troubled youth and even playing basketball at the university and asked if those were the important things he hoped to be remembered for. He eventually dismissed them and decided that he wanted to be known for his love and devotion for Jesus (see that didn’t take long for us to come back together and agree).

As he was going through his list of possible things he hoped to be remembered for, all I could think of was “No! Not me!”

“And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” - Mark 9:35 ESV

Most people who die will be remembered by maybe a generation or two at the most. There are a few that will be remembered as a part of some significant historical event. Now, I have read several biographies of famous people and, at least the goods ones, always have, how shall I say it, unpalatable traits that most historical narratives ignore. For example, we all have heard that Thomas Jefferson owned slaves. That doesn’t take away from his contributions to our nation but just goes to show that we are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God.

“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” - Matthew 23:4-5, 7-12 ESV

After our elder resolved that his experiences and accomplishments were insignificant compared to his faith in Jesus as our redeemer (and I too was reconciled in my introspection and reflection of my own life), I too long to hear:

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” - Matthew 25:21 ESV