A Life Well Lived or Because of Him

Jim, when he called this morning,

because I attended a funeral yesterday,

wondered if I am writing about death and sorrow...again🙏

'Actually, the total opposite' I replied,

'I'm writing about life and living'

 (hopefully joyfully in spite of sorrow)

Yesterday, at a another funeral service at our church 

for another beloved, ripe-old-aged, faithful saint laid to rest

the relevance of the phrase 'life well-lived' impacted me.

No fancy or exceptional faculty or status required

to earn this accolade.

What first may seem quite commonplace;

Morn's light-replenished sky 

Is fresh evidence of God's grace

Waiting for our reply... 

A life well-lived; a culmination of moments well spent

Of recognition that its gift begets its testament

Aware that by God’s grace who and wherever we may be

He grants to all this universal opportunity

To triumph in what matters most, not for fortune or fame

But, with one sole objective; to bring glory to God’s name

To know it is enough, no matter how common the task

To render service for the King; He helps us if we ask

Transforming what, in the grand scheme of things may seem so small

And commonplace, because of love, into life’s Best of All

A life well-lived does not depend on rare ability

Superior intelligence or physicality

A life well-lived is something we are all able to do

And its account we give to God is up to me and you

With no one else to blame, because in every circumstance

He does not leave us helpless or without His providence

He never turns a blind eye or deaf ear to prayer or need

His Word is truth; We ought to give his word more earnest heed

And recognize Today is of great price, an altar where

We prove through fruit of sacrifice, who we love and revere  

A life well lived; what better witness can we leave behind

Than the track-record of love, generous, patient and kind

With God, then others first in mind, and not begrudgingly

But with a heart that overflows with joy of ‘Christ in me’

His light no dark hour can dim, His grace our want supplies

And as we cast our cares on Him His faithfulness replies

To keep us in His perfect peace though sorrow-storms assail

To know that He is able, His promises never fail

To help us, for His glory to accomplish day by day

A life well-lived, because of Him, when Soul’s shroud slips away

© Janet Martin

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

 giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, 

that they may see your good deeds 

and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, 

he should speak as one conveying the words of God.

 If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides,

 so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. 

Amen.

I've had much occasion recently to ponder this song...

We Are Going down the Valley