Live Life on Purpose

Scripture: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

What will you be remembered for? Will it be your smile, your joy, your helping hand? Will it be your faith, your courage, your love for others? What have you done that has made an eternal impact?

We all want to be remembered. We don’t want to think we will be forgotten once we are gone and yet, Ecclesiastes 1:4 says, “Generations come and generations go.” Our life according to James 4:14 is a mist that is here one minute and gone the next. With our life so fleeting, how can we make sure we make a difference? We have to choose to live with purpose.

In college I took a class on Death & Grief and it challenged me in ways I needed. One of the assignments was to write my own obituary and epitaph. It was an uncomfortable and morbid assignment but it helped me look at what was important and what really mattered. I had to ask myself, “Aubrey, what do you want to be remembered for?” It shifted the way I saw life. It gave my days more meaning and to this day helps keep me grounded on what really matters, loving God and loving others.

As a society, we avoid talking about death and often dread death itself. It’s something that makes us uncomfortable, sad, angry, afraid, and a whole mix of other emotions. But the truth is, unless the Lord comes in our lifetime, we will face death for ourselves. So, when your tombstone is erected and your name on that stone, what do you hope it says? What do you want people to remember when they look and the dash between when you were born and when you died?

I want people to remember that I laughed whole-heartedly, that I loved boldly, that I gave God everything I had, and that I was someone who cared deeply for others. Our lives are fragile, fleeting gifts. Choose to live life on purpose. Choose to live intentionally. So much of what we do just passes us by. We get caught up in the day-in/day-out work life and find ourselves in a cycle of doing life but not really living it to the fullest. Live life with the end in mind, not in a morbid way but in a purposeful way. What you do matters. It will impact those around you and those to come. Your choices make a difference.

Tell someone what they mean to you, show love to those around you, give forgiveness you’ve been denying, speak life! Don’t hold back. Don’t live with regrets. Live life on purpose.