Grass clippings

Have you ever wondered “How will I be remembered?”  I sure have!  It happened again this week.  I attended a funeral this past Friday, and as I sat there and listened to the gentleman’s family reminisce of their time with their loved one, the thought occurred to me “What will I be known for when I leave this earth?”

This morning I read 1 Peter 1:24-25 and it hit me between the eyes.  The statement says that men “in all of their glory” are like withering flowers and grass clippings.  Then the reality of truth set in:  in 100 years I won’t be remembered at all!  Think about it for a moment; can you tell me three things about anyone you might have been related to that lived in the 1,800’s?  How about the 1.700’s? 

What is my point?  What God said to me this morning is this:  Jesus is what matters.  My word will still be around when I return to earth.  My church will still be standing. 

Here are a few thoughts:

• What am I wasting my time worrying about today that won’t matter 100 years from now?
• Am I telling people about Jesus?  In all honesty, the message of salvation is the only thing that is truly important.  People that meet Christ are the only thing I will get to take with me to heaven after I die.  I want to be a part of that.
• If I truly believe that my life is like a withering flower, am I making every moment count?  Am I praying for others?  Am I doing what I can each day to live out the Gospel for others to see?
• If I truly believe that this life is short, am I preparing to meet God?  Am I laying up my treasures in heaven instead of worrying about storing up things here?

This passage of scripture helped me this morning.  God is constantly turning my mind and heart towards my true home and teaching me to focus on eternal matters.  In 100 years, people aren’t going to know me.  My house will be gone.  My business will be dissolved.  My valuables will be rusty, rotted or belong to someone else.  I will be in heaven and this world will be in the rear-view mirror.

Don’t get stuck here.  Remember where you are headed.