I think perhaps I’ll go fishing today
Or maybe I could watch the Yankees play
I could stay home and read a good book
Or I could go on-line and take a look
Household duties firmly, kindly beckon
I should tackle those jobs first, I reckon
I could call a friend, ask her out for tea
Or simply stay indoors and watch TV
I could teach my baby to count to ten…
I could write a fine novel, but what then?
I could climb mountains and stand on their peaks
Or become famous by mere words I speak
I could ride tall waves, have a reckless time
Be noted as brave for walls that I climb
I could be lazy or shallow or bold
Or focus on gleanings in pastures gold
I could hoard pennies, a miserly fool
Or gain great knowledge by staying in school
I could be remembered a while ‘mongst men
For some great accomplishment, but what then?
When the curtain falls on life’s final scene
When my Maker calls and I hear my name
When I stand at last as all men will do
When life is past at my final adieu
When I leave my shoes on eternity's shore
And He reads my reviews at Heaven's door
What will He see as He takes a long look
At pages I’ve written in my life’s book
As I look at Him and He holds my hand
Will this life have been worth it; oh, what then?
Janet Martin
I re-vamped an ‘oldie’ from the archives,
Remembering it when I saw the prompt, The Show Must Go On…
But what then......
ReplyDeleteSomeone I recently pulled from my bookshelf to read again asked the same question in her book Delighting God. The author: Victoria Brooks (2003).
After this and that and the next thing, what then?
Her answer (the one that dropped into her heart after over a year of heart-wrenched searching)... came from something she read in the Westminster Shorter Catechism of Faith:
"The chief end of man is to glorify and enjoy Him forever."
She knew THAT was the answer. And goes on to say, those words became the theme of her existence.
Which was a similar conclusion I'd come to as well in my own search for the reason for my own existence.
And then what....
Enjoyed your piece, Janet!
I don't remember ever seeing the original, but this will do. The show must go on, but the final curtain call is important.
ReplyDeleteYes, the what then, is important and if we can rest in the assurance of His promises we may truly then live the now in joy and peace.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, and thank-you.
Janet, your life will have been worth it indeed. Many of us ask the same questions.
ReplyDeleteThis life is full of distractions, yes... but if we keep our focus on The One who lights our way and guides our steps... our ending will be beautiful.
ReplyDelete"At the end of it all, I want to be in your arms..." ~ Beautiful Ending by Barlow Girl
Thank you for the gentle reminder Janet :)
I'm so thankful that the 'worth' is through what Jesus did for us...not by anything we have done for Him, and I'm so thankful we can all have access to His grace! 'For God so loved the world that he gave His only son, that whoever believes on him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
ReplyDeleteMary and Megan, I thank-you so much for your words.