Deposits Into the Eulogy Bank
Psalm 90:12 — “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
A best friend once reminded me of a simple truth: one of us will not be around to give the other’s eulogy. Sobering, but true.
I also came to realize that we never get to hear our own eulogies. That thought bothered me a bit, so on my wedding anniversary, I wrote and read my wife’s ETD — Eulogy To Date. This allowed me to celebrate her while she was still here. She deserves to hear it!
On this somewhat morbid thought of eulogies, I think it’s fair and helpful to point out that we write our own eulogies each day we live. We deposit something into the Eulogy Bank every day.
The idea stayed with me years later at the funeral of a beloved school principal from where our kids attended. As someone recited some of Jack’s life accomplishments, I was struck with the idea that none of these things could ever be taken away from him. They were actually lived out — his story, now forever actual history.
Recently, I found myself crying as I reflected on the life and death of a great pastor, John MacArthur, and an accomplished young man, Charlie Kirk. I mean, I was really sobbing! I stopped and asked myself, what’s going on in me? Why am I crying? I realized I wasn’t crying out of loss, but out of awe — they had lived full, God-directed lives that truly influenced others. They had a legacy to leave. I wondered, not proudly but sincerely, what legacy will I leave? And at that moment, I was once again inspired to live purposefully — fully, intentionally, surrendered to accomplishing God’s purposes for this short life He’s designed for me. I want to make a difference and be an influence where I am and with whom I’m with. These Running Thoughts are towards that end.
Obviously, we only live in the present — like right now, and now again. Our eulogy to date is what it is; it cannot be re-lived. Our future, whatever length of time has been set for us, is yet to be revealed. Our future is a “we’ll see.” And what we will see is determined by how we live in the present.
At a Nabisco corporate meeting many years ago, Lou Holtz — the famous coach from Notre Dame — gave a talk to inspire the workforce. H
e said something that impacted me then and that I remember now. It has me imagining my tombstone:
Tom Garvin, May 23, 1955 – MM/DD/YYYY
Lou Holtz said, “It’s the dash that counts.” That little mark between two dates holds the entire story of a life — the choices, the faith, the love, the legacy.
Consider that our lives are a complete collection of all our todays. Each today matters. Each today is another opportunity to live acknowledging God in the presence of those we are with — or an opportunity missed.
The dash does not represent all the things I shoulda, coulda, or woulda and therefore didn’t do. No — the dash represents what we actually did. We have this day, today, to intentionally decide what we do, which will ultimately define what we did.
Our lives are lived or wasted one day at a time.
So what will we do with our dash — with today?
- Let’s today forget what lies behind and press on to all He desires for us.
- Let’s today be doers of His Word and not hearers only.
- Let’s today exercise His promises to prove them to be true.
- Let’s today hear His voice and respond accordingly.
- Let’s today recognize and escape the things that bind us in this fallen world.
- Let’s today experience His freedom as we live to please our Maker, our Father — imperfect kids, free to live without fear of punishment under ‘Daddy’s’ watchful, healing, loving care.
- Let’s today re-surrender our lives even more completely to God and let Him tell His story through our history.
- Let’s today make a positive deposit into the Eulogy Bank!
See you at the ATM! — TG
Reflect on the following. C.T. Studd’s words echo across generations. The dash between our two dates is brief, but eternity is long — and only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only One Life — by C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
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