What Really Matters

Over the years, I have done a lot of funerals and memorial services. I have also visited people who were literally at death’s door, and I can tell you that when life comes to an end, there are three things that will really matter to you: faith, family, and friends.

Of number one importance will be your faith, your relationship with God. I have heard so many people say with deep regret, "I wish had I spent more time walking closely with God. I wish I had made more time for spiritual things." They recognize the fact that they will stand before God Almighty. How sad it is when people realize they have squandered their lives.

Next will be your family. "I wish I had been a better father," or, "I wish I had been a better mother," some say. You won’t be concerned about how much money you made, whether you spent enough time at the office, or whether you have plenty of possessions. You will be leaving all that behind. Sadly, we spend so much time on that which doesn’t really matter in the long run and, in the process, neglect that which really does matter.

It all will come down to faith, then family, and then friends. These are things that we want to think about. We want to make sure that our lives are right before God. When King Hezekiah was close to death, the prophet Isaiah told him, "Set your house in order" (2 Kings 20:1). Is your house in order today?