Dead or Alive? Does anyone care?

“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.”2 Chronicles 21:20 NLT.  http://bible.com/116/2ch.21.20.nlt

This might be one of the saddest verses I've read. In eight years, this king, the leader of Israel, never impacted anyone in a positive way? No one was sorry when he died? No one missed his voice? No one missed his love, his care, his joyful heart? Again, that might be one of the saddest statements of all time. Will someone be sorry when I die? Will someone be sorry when you die?  To be honest, that is not a guarantee. It's kind of like the golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." How you treat others determines your legacy for all times.

If you want to be missed when you pass from this earth, treat people with love and  respect. Serve others and they will miss you. If you spend your life selfishly serving only yourself, why would anyone be sorry you were gone? Our entire society is so self centered. We have a country full of Jehoram's. Sure, rarely do you see a funeral attended by no one. Do they attend out of obligation or from a reverent respect? Will you be forgotten the day after you are put to rest?

What are you going to do to make sure others value your life? Is it even important to live a life valued by others? I can say, as a Christian you have a command to serve others. You have a command to go out into all the world and bring others to Jesus. We are to share the love of Jesus with others. If we do that, we can. It help but be remembered. The motive makes the difference. We do not serve to be remembered. We serve because Jesus calls us to serve. We are remembered because we shared Jesus love.

Dear Lord, I want nothing more to share your love with others. I want to impact the world for you, not for me! I want to be your servant in all things. Always keep me focused on you. When I die I want to be remembered as your servant nothing more. Amen!