I have officiated in 42 funerals. Some were for complete strangers. Some were for precious church members. My very first funeral was for Lori’s grandfather. I have also preached the funeral for my dad, uncle, and cousin. Everyone’s funeral was different, and everyone’s funeral was the same. Some of them were young. Some were old. Some died suddenly and tragically. Others died slowly.  Some had great faith in God, others not so much. All of them have one thing in common, they died.

I am not mentioning this because I am fascinated with death. I am instead fascinated with life. Funerals are a great reminder that life is precious. What you do while on earth matters. How you treat others matters. How you respond to God matters. Someone said it well, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” What a great reminder for the New Year!

I don’t know how many funerals you have attended. I hope not as many as I have. One thing is for sure, unless the Lord returns, you will have your own funeral. Your name will be in the paper. You will be put in a casket. People will celebrate your life and mourn your death. What type of legacy do you want to leave behind? How will you want to be remembered? Who do you need to point to Christ? Do it now before it is too late. James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”