FAMILY FAITH:

How do you want to be remembered? When your family reflects on your life, and people whose paths you have crossed think upon your name, what do you want them to remember? Selfish, hospitable; rude, friendly; harsh, kind; egocentric, or one who served God?

I wrote about a few polarizations above because we all encompass good traits and bad traits. But usually, a few stand out when we are remembered. When I reflect upon my maternal grandmother, I think of love — one who taught me to cook and educated me on our family’s history.

My paternal grandmother poured the truth of Jesus Christ into my life. My dad was self-centered; my mother, completely selfless. My friends each have good, qualities that stand out to me. Church leaders over my lifetime are either remembered as ones who spurred me on toward God’s calling, or who deeply wounded me and others in the congregation they served.

What do you want to be remembered for? I hope I am remembered as one who helped to bring individuals to a point of healing in their life, who taught, counseled and prayed with people. We each have our value system, and we each touch one another’s lives, positively or negatively. We need to periodically consider these facts as we walk through the years of our life.

Paul touched lives. He wrote about his hope of finishing his race on this Earth well, having served God as an apostle for 30 years. “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day — and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (II Timothy 4:6-8).

As an athlete competes in a sport, having done an outstanding job, so Paul speaks of serving Christ in such a way that he had obeyed God’s laws and teachings of faith. Paul had done his best to serve Christ well, as an athlete does their best to win — just think of the Lakers in the NBA finals this week! Those athletes are competing extremely hard to win. Is this how we live our life — to win victories for Christ? Do we listen to others, pray with them, and tell them our trials and success stories in Christ to spur them on in hope in good and bad times? Are we a positive example of God, or a negative one?

The ending point of all our lives will vary. But the end of Christ’s story is written in the book of Revelation. What are we really living for? It should be that which has eternal value; the eternal race. The words at the end of this athletic event go like this, Jesus tells us, “Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20 & 21)

Are we living like we believe this? We should be. It is our eternal truth.

?The Rev. KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN can be reached by e-mail at holyhouse9@ gmail.com or by mail at Holy House Ministries c/o the Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian, M.S. La Vie Counseling Center, 650 Sierra Madre Villa, Suite 110, Pasadena, CA 91107.