 As I come away from the Resurrection week of church activities, one phrase keeps bombarding my thoughts, "A life well lived." Jesus certainly modeled it during his time on earth. How often have you heard someone make that statement about another who had gone home to be with the Lord? What exactly does that mean? Well, as I am beginning to experience the wear and tear of my 77 years, I am forever thinking about the impact my life may be making on others: my children, my family, my friends, and those whom come in my presence only for a short period of time.
Over the years, I have become "Mama E" to many people, male and female. However, I ask myself everyday; "What kind of impression are you really leaving on those you meet along your daily path?" I often quote the statement," It's not the length of your years, but the depth of your years that count." So, what does that depth look like? The questions I ask myself begin with, am I making a major difference in the lives of those I meet? Throughout my life, there have been persons in every season of my journey who strengthen me when I would have given up. There were those who saw my potential where I did not. Those that crossed my path encouraged me to become something more than I thought I was or could be. Am I doing the same, or even better, more? I believe it's my time to model those things for others whom God place in my path. How am I doing? Here's what I pray is happening. I pray that God, by the power of His Holy Spirit, is causing me to be an instrument of His peace. I long for a place in my heart where God is always dwelling. I desire to possess an equipping spirit that others may not leave my presence without having gained something that will take them to higher levels on their earthly journey. I have no desire to be a Questa-one who is forever searching. I want to live out my life as a follower of Christ. That picture in my mine's eye, is not just " a life well lived", but one that is "greatly shared". I desire that each life I have the pleasure of touching, shall flourish as does a well tended garden. Three words that Jude expresses in his book: mercy, peace, and love. Jude knew that men of God who were to be deliverers, were facing difficult situations in the world; with persecution, societal pressures and false teachers at a high. (Not too much different than those of us in ministry today, right?) So he provided them with those three words of encouragement. May those same three words encourage you today in whatever you may embrace as your ministry. My prayer is that mercy, peace and love be multiplied, not just in my life, but yours as well. I desire that every day of my life be as a door to hope which leads back to the love, mercy, grace, peace, and favor of God. At the end of my days, I want to go home "EMPTY"-- having completed everything that God has placed in me so that I can hear " well done my faithful servant, your life has been well lived and well shared to my glory. WELCOME HOME!". TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY! EJJ
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