A Life Well Lived

She didn’t have much, yet she had all that really mattered. Her life would not be remembered by a long list of accomplishments or the number of friends she had left behind. The world would not have called her successful or beautiful. Yet, as I thought of her life, I knew she had lived well. She had loved those around her but most importantly she had loved the Lord. She had sought Him, and it was reflected in every area of her life. I knew that I wanted my own life to look more like hers.

As I stared at my grandmother’s grave, I wondered, “What would I want to be said of me when I died? How would I want people to define my life?”. Immediately, I knew what I would want to be said of me, and it had nothing to do with my accomplishments, or the way I looked, or how many friends I had, or the income I made, or my past successes or failures. I would want it to be said that I could always be found at Jesus’ feet. I would want it to be said that I walked by faith, and loved Him with everything in me. I would want it to be said that any beauty I possessed was only that which radiated from His presence shining in my life.

Sadly, the world tells us that a life of faith has little value. The world says that success comes, not by living a life that pleases God, but by how much we possess, whether it be beauty, power, money, or the number of likes on our Facebook page. It is easy to get lost in the lies. It is easy to forget that which is really important until something happens that makes us realize how fleeting life really is. God’s view of success is much different than the worlds. God would define success as a life lived in faith, trusting Him, and loving Him with your whole heart, mind, and soul.

As I pondered these things, I also thought back to Rylie’s baby dedication. Jeremy and I were challenged to come up with four or five words that we would want to describe Rylie, when she was a grown woman. The words we chose were selfless, humble, generous, joyful, and courageous. We also wanted her to have a firm grasp of her identity in Christ. We could have chosen any number of words for her. However, we felt that this best summed up what we wanted out of life for her. We know that beauty will fade. We know that success and popularity are fleeting. We also know that if her identity is firmly planted in Christ, she will be able to handle whatever circumstances life brings her. More than anything, I want Rylie to love God. In Him, she will find everything her soul longs for. Nothing she could gain in this world will fill her like His love.

My grandmother realized that everything paled in comparison to knowing God and lived her life accordingly. She lived well. Her life was a success because it radiated her faith in her Savior. I’m proud of her and I know that God said, “Well done my good and faithful servant” when she entered His presence. I hope when my time on this earth fades that it will be said of me that I loved my God, and that I could be found at His feet. I know that is where life really begins. Yes, I often get tempted to believe otherwise. Yes, I get caught up in the hectic pace of life, and the lies. However, I know that I am my truest self when I am on my knees before Him. I know that only He can complete me and fill the empty places within.

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2