Since preparing to make some remarks at the home-going celebration of a dear saint of God last week, one question has stuck with me, “What do I want the preacher to say about me at my funeral?” 

In the chorus to their hit song “A Good Man,” country band Emerson Drive sings this lyric:

I want to be the one when all is said and done who lived a good life, loved a good wife and always helped someone in trouble, on the day they lay me down I want everyone to gather ’round and say, “He was a father, a brother, a neighbor, and a friend… he was a good man.” 

Preaching in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul had the following to day of King David: 

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption. – Acts 13:36

We can find a plethora of good things with which to occupy our lives. It is a noble intention to be good spouses, parents, teachers, workers, friends, and citizens.  In the end, however, will we be able to say honestly, “I have served the purposes of God for my lifetime”?  Have we lived our lives in a self-serving manner, doing what we want, when we want, and how we want to do it; or have we given our lives to discovering and fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives?

Take some time today to ponder the direction your life is going.  God has set your life on a trajectory of His choosing.  His purpose for our life has both “big picture” elements as well as everyday carpe diem elements.  Ask God to reveal what He wants from you today, and set about serving His purpose.