Will You Be Remembered? Probably Not.
Death is a topic that modern man seeks to avoid. Millions of dollars are spent yearly by those who want to hide from the fact that this earthly body was designed to wear out and eventually return to the dust. No amount of make-up, hair dye, anti-aging cream, or the like will change this course. Far from running from the idea of death, the Lord expects man to learn from it: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). As every man and woman contemplates his or her own departure from the earth, it is important to remember two fundamental ideas: 1. Within a generation most are completely forgotten. 2. Though forgotten, the “footprint” one leaves behind can have an impact for years to come.
Many seek to use their time on this earth building. This may include building up wealth, reputation, business success, or the like. Often, this requires years of hard work to the detriment of family, friends, and, most importantly, the Lord. Though one’s life is poured into the building endeavor, within a short time the builder is forgotten. To prove this point, the reader should take an opportunity to drive through the town or city where he or she lives. Read the names painted on old buildings – buildings named for those who once owned them. Most likely the names that are read once belonged to the “movers and shakers” of the town – those who dedicated themselves to the success of establishing an operation that would provide financial benefit. Almost without exception, the reader will know none of the histories of the people whose names he or she reads.
The same can be said about the many men and women who gave themselves to the work of the Lord. Christians who spent their lives dedicated to the work of the Lord and helping their fellow man are also forgotten. Though their names may be housed in a faded church record on a dusty shelf, their lives have long since been forgotten. This is the message the Ecclesiastes writer wanted man to understand when he wrote, “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath” (Ecclesiastes 9:1-2).
The message thus far could be quite depressing and cause one to question the need to even try. It is here that point 2 should be remembered. While one’s name may not be recognized within a short time after death, the impact left behind can last for years. Consider the righteous mother and father who instill within their children a love for God that is, in turn, taught to subsequent generations. Though these later generations may have no working knowledge of their ancestors, the footprint of godliness is still witnessed years later. Consider the older Christian who takes the time to mentor a young man or woman in the ways of godliness. This Christian may be forgotten within a generation, but the love and knowledge passed along may, in turn, be passed to others who are mentored by the young person who has grown old and wants to do for others what was done for him or her. Consider the one who takes the opportunity to share the gospel message with a neighbor who chooses to obey the Lord as a result. The memory of the one who shared the message may quickly pass, but what if that message is, in turn, passed on to others by the neighbor? Many may be saved because one person took the time to share the hope of salvation. The point of living is not to seek a name that will be remembered forever; it is to honor God and help as many others as possible to do the same.
The beauty of God’s plan is that, though this passing world may forget, He will not. To the Christians who made up the faithful church in ancient Philadelphia, Jesus promised that each could be a “pillar in the temple of My God” (Revelation 3:12). These Christians had witnessed pillars built in homage to the movers and shakers of their day, only to watch them fall due to natural disaster or age. Jesus promised that this would never happen to the faithful’s pillar standing in Heaven. Every man and woman must use the years on this earth to become the pillar that can never be shaken. While names will not be remembered, the Lord will never forget the good that is done in service to Him.
