Get A New View   Learning together to see God's world from His view

My Grandmother passed away recently. She lived a long and, by all accounts (including her own), a blessed life. She loved to cook, to quilt, to fish, and to talk. And she was especially good at all of them.

Born in 1914, she grew up during the 1^st World War and the “roaring 20’s.” She was raised in north, central Arkansas, where her family suffered through the great depression of the 1930’s. As a young women she worked from dawn to dusk alongside other hired farm hands (both black and white) picking cotton, corn, beans and other crops in the hot, Arkansas sun. As a wife and mother in the 1940’s she watched as family members and friends went off to a 2^nd World War, some never to return. She supported her family through difficult economic times as they migrated from place-to-place, getting what work could be found.

She witnessed the advent of so much of what has shaped the face of our world today: revolutions, two world wars, the birth of the atomic age, the atrocities of the Holocaust, the rise of Communism and the Cold War, the race riots of the 1950’s; the dawn of the Space Age, the assassination of a president, the chaos of the 1960’s and 70’s; the explosion of the computer age and modern technology, the fall of the “Evil Empire,” the coming of the “me” generation, and the spread of terrorism in the 1980’s and 90’s; the end of a millennium, the first and second greatest attacks by foreign powers on US soil, the recent rise to power of the generation of radicals forged in the chaos 40 years earlier, and so much, much more.

Although she never learned to drive a car, never flew on an airplane, never bought a television (the family gave her a small 13” black-and-white TV when I was a teenager), and never used a computer, she was quite comfortable navigating her new cell phone at age 90. Yet, interestingly enough, none of these facts or events was mentioned during her funeral.

There was nothing about personal achievements or significant contributions to society, as is often the case for persons of some repute. Instead, those who shared their fondest memories spoke of a woman who was “kind-hearted,” “generous,” “giving,” “thankful” and “loving.” It was said that she “never had very much in the way of worldly goods, and she was content with that,” and that “no matter how much or how little she had, she always had enough to share with those in need.” She was described as having a deep faith and a strong Christian witness. It was said that she “never complained about her lot in life” and “never lost hope, but always endured, no matter what came her way.”

Not to say that she had no faults. We all do. But in her nearly 99 years she brought joy, stability, caring, kindness, guidance, and love to all those around her who were blessed with having known her. She modeled discipline, hard work, caring, generosity, goodwill, faithfulness and contentment to those who were (and still are) paying attention.

That being said, take a minute and grab your favorite version of the Bible. Give Luke 12:22-34 a read; 1 Corinthians 13, also. Now go back and reread the last two paragraphs above. Let it sink in for moment.

What do you notice? Perhaps the same thing I noticed as I was sitting in the church pew that day listening to others describing the life of the woman I knew as “Grandma?”

Kind, generous, hopeful, caring, faithful, thankful, content, loving. As she was eulogized with these words, those two passages of scripture (and several others) came to mind. And then it hit me. And in that moment my sorrow turned to peace.

What they were really describing was a life that, according to Scripture, had been well lived. The life of a servant who had faithfully run the race and finished the course.  The life of one who had truly sought first His Kingdom and His righteousness, then trusted that all she needed would in fact be provided by Him. A life filled with all that truly matters and very little of what doesn’t. Simply put, an abundant life.

She had lived through great trials and triumphs, endured poverty and hunger, suffered great losses and experienced great joys. Yet through it all had remained steadfast to the admonition of Scripture to live selflessly, with a loving heart toward others.

Would that we could all say that about ourselves in this consumption driven, accumulation oriented, achievement-at-any-cost world. Sadly, the vast majority of those of us who claim the name of Christ have fallen victim to conformity with the world’s definition of an abundant life, rather than Christ’s.

In Luke 12, He specifically tells us that we are NOT to pursue the things that the nations of the world chase after (my paraphrase). Yet, that’s exactly what we spend most of our lives doing.

Personal achievement, career advancement, “keeping up with the Jonses” (or the Kardashians). We strive to be the “best,” look the “best,” live in the “best,” and have the “best,” not because Scripture commands it or Christ has modeled it, but because the world we live in demands it and has told us that we deserve it. We consume for ourselves most of what we receive and justify or rationalize it by claiming that we’re simply “enjoying the blessings of God.”

We fill our lives with an abundance of stuff and activities, thinking that this is what brings about the abundant life, but instead we’re left empty, tired, stressed out, and discontented. Then we turn away from those who are truly in need because we have little or nothing left to give, neither financially nor emotionally.

I seem to remember reading about another group of religious folk who lived their lives “enjoying the blessings of God.” What did Christ say about them? Oh yes, “truly I tell you, they have their reward.” Not a group I think I would want to be identified with. Would you?

Since her passing a month ago I’ve reflected quite a bit on the life of my Grandmother and the example she left for me. And I can’t seem to get away from the idea that somewhere in the not-too-distant-past we in the Church have gotten terribly off track when it comes to the “seek ye first” of Luke 12. I know I have.

So I challenge you – over the coming month read through Luke 12 and 1 Corinthians 13 each day. Reflect on what’s being said. Ponder its meaning for your life. Compare it to how you’ve been living up to now.

Can what was said of my Grandmother be said of you?

Anything need to change?