Transitions
O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days … (Psalms 39:4)
In one short week, the world will acknowledge and many will commemorate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Death has such a profound way of interrupting life (to put it mildly), that it is without a doubt the most distracting aspect of living. When a loved one passes, time seems to stand still, and all the schedules, demands and occurrences which previously loomed larger than life, and which seemed impossibly urgent and of utmost importance, immediately shrink to a diminutive size and lose all sense of urgency and import. It all becomes a matter of perspective. In those moments of contemplation, we begin to gain clarity and cognizance about the things that really matter in life, the things to which we are genuinely called (from a time and other resource-investment standpoint), and the things which will outlive our existence and achievements, all of which boil down to one simple word – people.
Whichever way you slice or dice it, a person’s influence on earth is assessed by how much they impact(ed) people, whether it is viewed through the lens of motivation, media, commerce, industry, knowledge-sharing, miracle performances, discoveries, inventions, innovations, scholarship, or simple friendships and one-on-one contact – it all boils down to the same unpretentious denominator. The degrees of impact just vary by means, modes, and methods.
I lost a dear friend and sister recently, and experienced (only) a small fraction of the turmoil her family must have gone through, and this amidst reports of the passings of other loved ones in my greater community. To say the ensuing upheaval disrupted the normal course of life and became a major distraction would be a gross understatement, yet, in truth, that is exactly what it was. The irony of an occurrence of this magnitude – while penning a series on distraction – is not lost on me. When death happens, life as one knows it ceases for what seems like a fraction of eternity, as the surreality of the situation kicks in. You pinch yourself or vigorously shake your head to clear the cobwebs and ensure reality. In the midst of all this, an undergirding occurs that though typical for a lover of Jesus, is still as surprising as if it were new; indeed the novelty of supernatural succor will never grow old!
You see, not all distraction is bad. As negative a vibe as the word may connote, distraction can actually be quite positive, either from the onset (if God-inspired as an attention-getter and course-corrector, such as was the case of Jonah and Paul – discussed in the last post) or as a by-product of God’s redeeming ability to turn any negative circumstance around when life just happens, or when an event is diabolically engineered – as we saw in the case of Job. A practical realtime example of the former would be a chilling scream from a bystander to an inattentive person crossing the street, alerting them to jump out of the way of an oncoming vehicle, and the latter would be the death of a loved one. “How could the death of a love one be a positive distraction?” you may ask. “What possible good could come out of a life cut short or tragically lost?”
For a lover of Jesus who passes on, the answer is simple. The Bible makes it clear that such a person is not “dead” in the sense of the darkness, despair and finality that are normally associated with the word, but has actually transitioned from this life onto the next (see John 5:24, 6:50-51; 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; etc.). Such a person is not in a state of ceaselessness or non-existence, but has been translated to a superior state of living that is way beyond the limitation of their physical body and of this realm.
This is great to know and remember, but doesn’t seem to do much for the loved one left on this side of heaven who is hurting and mourning their loss.
Redirection
The greatest benefits to the interruption of life via the death of a loved one is the gift of rumination and realignment (i.e., the opportunity to rethink and reposition oneself for another or a better chance at optimal living), not for the one who has transitioned, but for the one(s) who are left behind. Nothing brings life into perspective more than death, especially the transition of another who is well known to us. The average person experiencing loss tends to reevaluate their life and priorities, and this exercise can be highly beneficial and self redirecting. A reevaluation helps you run your race with the fresh goals of death, legacy & impact in mind. It frees you from the trap of the rat race (i.e. living day to day without a clear and carefully designed end in mind; living just to go through the motions or fulfill obligations and responsibilities, working just to pay bills or achieve the “American {or whatever nation you reside in} Dream”; etc.). When you find yourself solely focused on living simply as a matter of course, acquiring accolades or funds for the future, or some other temporal achievement, your focus has become divergent and will probably result in missing your best life and/or sidetrack you from the essence of your existence – if that trajectory is maintained. In what was intended to have been the second part of this series, we were going to discuss the concept of prioritizing the things that are truly important versus those that appear important because of the sense of tyrannical urgency they impose. Your goal must be to attain the reason(s) God apprehended you as His own (i.e. the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus1), and this ALWAYS involves and impacts people beyond your lifetime and immediate social circles (or should – as God intends it).
Friend, if your life is solely focused on building a great business, family, empire, career, etc. without meaningfully impacting others, you’ve missed the essence of your existence. I want to say that again for emphasis. If your life is solely focused on building a great business, family, empire, career, etc., without meaningfully impacting people, you’ve missed the essence of your existence. What is “meaningful” in this context? Beyond providing basic sustenance, support, etc. to people in your sphere of influence, your existence should contribute to changing the trajectory of other people’s lives, directly or indirectly, spiritually and physically, currently or futuristically. Each individual must decipher what that entails based on the God-generated vision in their heart – if they have taken the time to seek and discover this, and must then redirect their life investments in alignment with that vision.
Impaction
I do not mean this term in the medical or dental sense (those would be quite painful and uncomfortable to say the least). I mean it in the linguistic sense of the word – colliding or forcefully connecting with another (person or object) to create a lasting, often irreversible effect. That is the kind of life that every believer in Jesus is called to live.2-4
Bestselling author, speaker, government advisor, leadership consultant, pastor and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries, Dr. Myles Monroe, repeatedly exhorted us to die empty, meaning that we should have done all we were created, gifted and equipped to do and be by the time our turn at death arrives. We should give our all; i.e., the best of our energy, efforts, time, and attention to the things and people we are intended to impact in the same way fiscally responsible individuals carefully and intentionally plan their assets and estate so that the latter are protected, proliferated and disbursed to the people and causes that are dear to them, ensuring an enduring legacy. It would therefore seem that the simplest way to die empty is to live with death in mind – not in a morbid and morose sense of impending doom, but as a thoughtful and intentional expression of efficient living, one that ensures the protection and proper transfer of destiny and divine legacy. Living with a constant sense of dying (i.e., the urgency to prioritize life’s investments in a way that accomplishes and optimizes one’s purpose) is the surest way to accomplish this (see 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 4:10; etc.)
Simply put, live each day as though it were your last. If we are thoughtful and intentional about everyday living, we will indeed die empty, having spent our lives and resources on the things that count. We will outlive our individuality, impacting multiple lives and generations to come. We would have left a glorious testament to a life well invested, as well as an indelible imprint of exceptional greatness and progeny.
Friend, are you living with purpose in every step, fulfilling your superior calling on a daily basis – by living intentionally and purposefully? Are you reaching your heaven-set goals and positioning yourself to attain your unique victory-prize(s)?
Run in such a way as to get the prize! 5
For questions on how to know God personally, grow in love and in your relationship with Him, or for any other inquiries, please email: [email protected]
The End
(Poem Excerpt from the Article “Man’s End – God’s Beginning” by the Author)
(Dedicated to and in loving memory of Sister Yemisi Ologe, A Great Solider of The Faith!)
The End – is sure, inescapable; and much feared – to confess. For in its wake there often lies destruction’s hopelessness.
The End – is here; unthinkable! What total devastation! Life gone, joy ceased, smashed fragments lie … as proof of death’s invasion!
The End – what loss! Unimaginable – tragedy’s dire consequence. Shattered dreams, crushed hopes, sorrow testifies of doom’s long-lingering sense.
The End – give up? Unconscionable! Of certain failure seal. Aborted plans and dwindling faith a bleak future will reveal.
The End – new hope? Unfathomable! From ashes dark arise! “New beauty see, new melody sing!” shouts heaven’s radiant skies!
The End – new start? Unbelievable! How then can these things be? From death to life, God’s power revives – from grave to deepest sea!
The End – new life … is possible? God’s miracle to wit! Rise up in faith, new heights attain – in heavenly places sit!
The End – new reign? Quite viable – your lofty place in glory! Fresh breath, new lease invigorate; begin a brand new story!
Bibliography
- Philippians 3:12-14
- Ephesians 2:10
- Matthew 5:13-16
- Acts 17:6
- 1 Corinthians 9:24