In Loving Memory

“Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Ps 112:6 AV)

 

Does it matter how we are remembered?  Once a person passes on, he has no knowledge of how those left behind will live.  He will not see his own funeral.  He will not hear all the accolades heaped upon his memory.  He will not see the tears shed for his passing.  If he is saved, he will bask in the glory of the LORD Jesus Christ and his attention will be fixed on the one who have His life for him.  If he is lost, the torment of eternal hell fire we be so overwhelming, pain will be the only input into his mind and heart.  So the question remains.  Does it matter how we are remembered?  Perhaps a better question would be, do it matter what those left behind do with the memory of us we leave?  It is one thing to eulogize the deceased and honor that which they have done.  Quite another to look up to the memory of the deceased trying to live up to the example he or she left behind.  This is the meaning of the second phrase of our verse.  The righteous will be remembered for all of eternity as a means to be an example for others to follow.

In any church, there are usually items purchased and used in the memory of someone who had passed.  They can vary widely.  A few pews might have a little metal tag on them that might read something similar to, “donated in loving memory of” followed by the memory of a past member.  One of my former pastors would not allow such items because one they are purchased and used, as long as there was a living relative or friend, the item could not be replaced or discarded.  That pew would be there until the rapture.  However, there are those items donated to the memory of a deceased saint that reflected his or her impact on the church while they were living.  One church if which I had a relationship, had a flagpole and memorial for all those who served in the military sent out from their church.  This was an older church and those listed went as far back as the Civil war.  There was another church that had the privilege of a library donated by a former pastor.  This library was open for use by the members of the church.  Another church built a gym and missions quarters and named it after a former pastor who had a deep love for missions.  In fact, he brought them out of a denomination that had no heart for missions into another that did.  I have seen a brand-new piano donated to the loving member of a former church pianist, a lecture given to the loving memory of a Sunday school teacher, and hymnals given by the family of a music director.  These types of memorials are a remembrance of an individual who served the LORD in faithfulness and humility.  These types of memorials are a subtle way for the impact of the life of that righteous saint to continue to impact lives long after their departing.

When the promise above is given that the memory of the righteous will continue, perhaps we can ask ourselves a question.  When we leave this planet, will our lives have such an impact that the memory of them will motivate others to do likewise?  Will the memory of our lives change the lives of others?  If someone were to write our biography, upon reading it, would the reader be inspired to a deeper life of commitment to God?  If someone were to place a tag on an item in church that said, “in loving memory” with our name to follow, what would it be?  Would it be something the church needed to purchase and didn’t have the funds?  Or, would it be something that reflected our life’s purpose?  Will be pass from this life to the next only to have those left behind to struggle remembering us at all?  Will they remember a faithful Sunday school teacher who had an impact?  Will they remember someone who sang special music, played and instrument, or sang in the choir with their whole heart invested in the glory of God?  Will they remember someone who sacrificed for the needs of others?  Will they remember someone with impeccable character who discipled others into Christlikeness?  Or, will they simple see a shadow of someone who sat in the same spot but never made any impact at all?