Leadership Thought: Yesterday’s Funeral Reminder: “What on Earth Am I Here For?”

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I did a funeral for a friend of mine whose grandfather has died at 88. He had lived a long and meaningful  life. He had left his mark on his family and his community. Sadly, however, instead of the 100’s that would have gathered for his funeral, because of Covid 19, there were only a handful of his children and grandchildren present.

As I do at most every funeral I conduct, I provide a time for family and friends to share thoughts and remembrances regarding the who died. Yesterday’s sharing was particularly special to me as I listened to a number of the grandchildren share the impact their grandfather had on their lives. “He always made a feel special.” “He was so proud of everything we did.” “He was so thoughtful and caring.” “He was the glue that held our family together,” were only a few of the phrases I recall being shared.

It has been said that “the only thing that walks back from the grave with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of the man.” In the case of “Andy” Anderson there was a lot of Andy  that  walked back with the mourners. He had left  behind a wonderful legacy for all those who would follow in his footsteps.

All of this got me thinking about what will people  say and ‘carry back’ with them  when they walk home from my funeral? And what will they say and what will they ‘carry back’ from your service? Have we left a mark, made a difference, created a legacy, and left some mighty large character footprints to follow?

Andy knew Jesus, so he wasn’t “just leaving home; he was going home." His home on earth, although lengthy by our standards, 88 years,  was short compared to the time he would spend in eternity.

Andy  was just a stranger, a pilgrim a visitor, a temporary resident on earth, but his permanent home was waiting for him in heaven.

Rick Warren writes “We should all carry green cards to remind us that our citizenship is in heaven.” What on Earth Am I Here For, Rick Warren, p 43.

For Andy death was just “moving day, and he knew where he was going. Home for him was spelled heaven

I hope all of us would live like Andy lived and die like Andy died, safe and secure in his new home.

The Bible says, "You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.” ( James 4:4 Msg.)

For those of you who know Jesus, I remind you that this earth is not our home, but only our temporary residence. Andy knew Jesus, and the wonderful promise of life eternal awaiting him and so can you.

John tells us, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.1 John 5:11-13).

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom