How Will I Be Remembered...?

The topic of 'how will a person be remembered when they die' came up this morning in the devotional I was doing with Connor. I asked Connor how he felt about this and he said that he didn't know.

I'm afraid the topic of death might still be difficult for him since his earthly father passed away only a few short years ago. I didn't press him on it. I told him that we could just think about this one another 24 hours and discuss it tomorrow. But the honest truth is that I hadn't fully worked out my answer to that question yet, either. I'm going to try to work out my thoughts in this morning's commentary.

The devotional this morning cited the death of Abel as it's example. It stated that Abel left a legacy of faithfulness and obedience. Then it asked the question If my own life was cut short suddenly, have I left a legacy of obedience? Then it followed with: how would I be remembered...?

I've been pondering those questions for some time now...

I know how I would like to be remembered. I would like to be remembered as a man who loved God and lived life for Him. Is that pride? Possibly to a certain degree. But I don't think it's a 'bad' kind of pride because the bible says that if we are to brag about anything then we are to brag that we know and understand HIM. Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Some might deem wanting to be remembered in any way as prideful. And that got me really thinking...

Of all the people that know me in the world right this very minute, there will be varying degrees of remembrance of my life. Those who barely knew me may only regard my life as the life of someone who really loved tennis. (And I do.) Those who know me well (like my wife and close friends) know that I am a repentant sinner truly seeking to be transformed into the image of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Then I thought about those people whom have had very little contact or interaction with me and that interaction was not positive.

Oh yes, sadly there are people in my life whom I have disappointed for one reason or another. I am truly regretful for those people whom I have wronged. I know there are those out there who would say if Sam Chadwell is what a 'real' Christian is then I don't want any part of Christianity. To think that I may have driven someone farther away from God is more than I can bear...! To those people all I can say now is that I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.

The fact is I am truly sorry for any transgressions from my past life before Christ. I can honestly say that my life now is the life of a changed person. And that is only by the miracle of the redemptive healing grace of Jesus Christ...!

What I learned from the devotional this morning is that life is already short and could be shorter than I think. I need to work on being as authentic as possible at all times so that I do leave a legacy that really matters and so I don't have to keep going back seeking forgiveness and conducting damage control.

The fact is how I will be regarded by others if I died this morning will be to the extent that I have touched their life. Some things from the past I can only give to God now. But moving forward I can do things differently and ensure that I leave a legacy that really matters...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, this world is passing away right before our very eyes. Only You know for sure how much time is left in my life and for the world. Lord help me to live fully for You today and every day. I pray that I impact lives today like I never have before.

Thank you Lord for my many abundant blessings.... What a joy to have a wonderful wife like Monica. What a blessing to have children... I could go on and on about what a privileged life I have.

Well, I'm giving back to You today my King. I love You Lord. I give this day to You, Jesus. And in Your precious, holy name I pray, AMEN.