"What will be said of your life?"
This is a question I've been hit with lately, and now I present it to you as well.
In the past 6 months, I've attended 5 funerals, witnessed believers born again into the Kingdom of God, seen more water baptisms recently than I have in the past 10 years, began to see the rain drops of revival and the list goes on.
With these experiences, the question "What will be said of your life?" continues to demand an answer.
The 5 funerals I've attended have mostly been of those who lived their lives to the fullest (in age and passion) and the memories shared by their family members made me feel as though I personally knew them.
One funeral I went to was of a young brother in the Lord and fellow minister of the Gospel, Jaman Iseminger, who was only 29 years old...2 years older than me. The question we are thinking about right now, "What will be said of your life?", was answered to the utmost with Jaman. He lived for "the least of these", cared for those in need, befriended strangers, was Jesus with skin on, faithful husband, loving father, unashamed and uncompromised in preaching the Good News of Christ and more. Let me share with you what Jaman's obituary said...check this out...
Jaman Alan Iseminger 29, departed the gravity of Earth and soared into the arms of Jesus C...hrist on Saturday, May 19, 2012. God called him into service early and called him into glory young. He leaves behind "the most important sermon we will ever hear" - his life. His passion was Christ, his heart loving, and his spirit joy. As pastor of Bethel Community Church of Southport he challenged his congregation to think outside the box of religion and embrace a deep, abiding, and living relationship with God, and with one another, and with the community. He preached truth, even when it was hard truth, but he preached with love. So much more than a pastor, he was a much loved son, an awesome husband, a devoted and joyful daddy, a fun loving brother, a loyal friend, a nephew, a grandson, a cousin and the list continues. He was a man of integrity, of zeal, of vision, and of joy. He truly was unique among mortals. Today he walks immortal and Heaven is brighter though Earth a bit dimmer because of his departure. He waits preparing a glorious reunion someday when he will be joined by his amazing wife, Amanda; their precious daughter, Belle; his parents, Scott and Gina Iseminger; his brothers, Damian and Micah Iseminger; his sister-in-law, Beth Iseminger; his in-laws, Rick and Kathy Morse; his brother-in-law, Jesse Morse; grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and those whose walk with God he changed because he lived Christ purely and joyfully before them. Services will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. in Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46237, with visitation there from 2:00 p.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Loving South Africa, P.O. Box 30795, Indianapolis, IN 46230 ( http://www.lovingsa.org/ ) or Purchased, P.O. Box 531965, Indianapolis, IN 46253 ( http://www.purchased.org/ ). Arrangements entrusted to Little & Sons Funeral Home, Stop 11 Road Chapel . http://www.littleandsonsindianapolis.com/
If that doesn't convict you and motivate you to live life out for Christ, I honestly don't know what will. I'm calling on all those reading this to live life radically for Christ. Let's try something...live what Christ preached, live as He lived! This will be counter-cultural, against the grain, unpopular, insulting to most, harsh to many, lonely at times, but will reap eternal rewards for the Glory of God. Take this challenge with me and ask yourself, beyond all self-centeredness, because lives will be impacted by how you live..."What will be said of your life?"
Will it be said of you that...
He partied and drank everyday and was self-absorbed.
She cared only for herself and never helped others.
He went to every St. Louis baseball game, loved sports...yet forgot about his wife and kids,
never teaching them the Word of God.
She climbed the ladder of success only to find herself cold, lonely, and empty at the top.
Or will it be said of you that...
He held nothing back and lived fully for Christ, faithful to his wife, compassionate to his children.
She cared for the least of these and gave until it hurt.
He invested time into his family, giving his children stability to live faithfully for the Lord.
She left her business life to serve 'the last of these' in a 3rd world country.
May I say that how people answer the question, "What will be said of your life?", will be examples and memories of the kind of fruit you produced in your life.
I'm not speaking a motivational or 'happier life' message. That's just shallow.
I'm sharing and challenging all of us to live radically for Jesus Christ. Jesus lived, died, and rose again 2000+ years ago...and people are still talking about Him.
"What will be said of your life?"
