What Matters

There have been more than a few times when we have gone to a funeral service, listened to the preacher talk about the one who had died, and wondered if we had arrived at the wrong funeral.  Most of us look a lot better than we are after we are dead.  Perhaps, it is an odd place to stay too long while reading the Scripture, but I found myself reading about the death and burial of Moses a few days ago.  It shows up at the end of the book of Deuteronomy.  As we consider the obituaries we often read, it is an unusual summation of a life well lived.     Verse seven of that chapter says, "Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated."  And with a word about his burial it is done.  

Think of all the things which could have been written.  No more powerful man ever lived.  No one ever did more to bring about massive social change than Moses.  His contribution to the Hebrew culture of his day and throughout the generations cannot be measured.  Yet, nothing is mentioned.  He died.  He died in the presence of the Lord he served and with His words in his ears.  (vs. 4-5)   There are many things we think are true and certain.  One of those things is that we will all die.  There will be no exemptions.  

And when that moment comes no one will be taking the certificates of achievement off the wall so that we can see them again and no one will run to the bank so we can hear a most update financial statement.  We will not care.  It will not matter.  What might matter to most of us is that our ending is more like the ending of Moses who died with the words of the Lord in his ears.  To live in a life of relationship with God through the years He gives to us and to come to the end with the assurance that what has been experienced in this life will be continued as the journey carries us into our heavenly home will be the thing which matters.