One day in 1888, the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel was surprised to find his own obituary printed in a French newspaper. The title of his obituary was, "The Merchant of Death is Dead." It read: "Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in war than ever before, and he died a very rich man." Actually, it was Alfred's older brother Ludwig who had died. But, the obituary had a profound effect on Alfred. He decided then that he wanted to be known for something more. So, he changed his will to specify that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who bestowed the "greatest benefit on mankind" in the fields of physics, chemistry, peace, medicine, and literature.
Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." It is only when we come to terms with our mortality and realize that one day we will die and have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ that we are able to gain a proper perspective on things. It's only then that we can get a heart of wisdom.
Holy Bible (NIV)
Psalms 90:12
But, a heart of wisdom also comes from believing the Good News, which tells us that the Wisdom of God has become flesh for all eternity. The Word, the eternal "Logos" in the original Greek, became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory. He has made God known to us, for He is the only begotten Son of God. He has shown us who God is in the most blatant, transparent, and real way possible. He has shown us what God's will is for our lives. St. Augustine wrote, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord." The Good News is that we don't have to try to rest our hearts in the Lord. He has come down from heaven to become Man, to become one of us, so that He could take us into Himself and bring us into His eternal life with God. True wisdom, then, realizes that all of time, with its days, weeks and years finds its fulfillment and purpose in Him. And, that the only life worth living is one of Christ like service to those who are made in the image of God, all to the glory of God.
If you were to open up the newspaper tomorrow and see your own obituary in print, what would it say about you? Would it say you lived your life in service to your neighbors and that you put others before yourself?
Would it say that you were a devoted husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, employer or worker, teacher or student?
Would it describe a lasting positive legacy that reflects the love of Christ? Would it show that you lived your life to the glory of God? I'm not suggesting you worry yourself over whether you are being "good enough" or that you seek a
Holy Bible (NIV)
Lamentations 3: 22-23
"perfect life" - whatever that means. The real issue at hand is whether or not in the face of our mistakes, in the face of tremendous obstacles and challenges, we live by faith in Christ and for His glory. The question is whether or not we are willing to grow as children of God. It's really about whether or not we truly believe that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). When we believe this, it completely changes our perspective and the trajectory of our life.
After changing his course in life, Nobel said, "Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one” Every time God gives us a new year, He is doing exactly that.
