Worry Not!Sample

How Will Your Epitaph Read?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’" (Luke 10:40-42). 

Martha had the Son of God over for dinner and was caught up in the meal preparation, but missed the main point. She was so engrossed in doing things right that she missed doing the right thing. Mary, on the other hand, “sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). 

Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in the fulfillment of an event that you missed the joy of being able to participate in it? The Lord is more concerned with our presence than our presents. The same thing holds true with our families. Truth be told, those closest to you (spouse, children or loved ones) would much prefer spending time with you than with your gifts. 

When you stand before the Lord at the end or your life, are you going to wish you had spent more time at the office? How do you live a life without regrets? Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, told him to “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). We have to train ourselves to be godly; our inherent sin nature does not allow this to come naturally. 

Take time to smell the roses. Life is a journey so enjoy the little things along the pathway. Paul tells us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Don’t let the little things in life, like serving a meal or worry, trouble you. Focus on the big picture. 

On November 17, 2011, Oklahoma State University suffered a second tragic plane crash, this time killing the women’s head basketball coach, Kurt Budke, and his assistant Miranda Serna. At the time of her death, Miranda had posted the following quote on Facebook from American humorist Erma Bombeck. “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I have not a single bit of talent left, and could say to Him, ‘Dear Lord, I used everything You gave me and thank You for all You entrusted in me.’” The subsequent stories that surfaced after her untimely death indicate that is exactly how she lived her life. So what about you… how will your epitaph read?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the big picture and not worry about the small stuff anymore. I will make the most of every opportunity that comes my way today. Regret will no longer be a part of my vocabulary; I will start living like I was dying. May my epitaph read, “Well done good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23) In Jesus name, amen.