DAY 38...Your Legacy
"All you can take with you is that which you've given away." - It's a Wonderful Life
When someone dies you may hear people say, "Rest in Peace" or in some Greek communities someone may wish you, "Zoi se sas" meaning "Life to you."
In Orthodox Communities, we say something that has multiple meanings, "Memory Eternal."
Memory Eternal means:
1. One seems obvious, that you are remembered forever. However, what is the likelihood of you being remembered 5 or 6 generations from now? You'd have to do something pretty spectacular or even horrific to be remembered by a generation born 50 years after your death. Maybe your facebook profile will be always available to check back on. Who knows. But, as we know, many saints are remembered by us who never met them physically, yet know them spiritually. We know of their greatness through their stories and miracles.
2. We are shaped by the people around us. You, whether you like it or not, have a bit of your parents in you. You have parts of your closest friends, those you've spent a lot of time with. It's like caring on long standing inside jokes. When someone dies, their memory lives on in you. You act a certain way, in part because of the impact they had on you. Their memory is eternal in the people they touch.
3. The Bible eludes to instances of being forgotten by God and what that means. Psalm 50(51) references the "Land of Forgetfulness" a place of non-existence. If you are not remembered by someone, then to them you don't exist. That person doesn't know of you. If God does not remember you, you fall into non-existence. This is the truest meaning of "Memory Eternal." If you are a friend of God, if you love God, you cannot be forgotten. Your existence in Him, in paradise, is eternal.
George Baily, from "It's a Wonderful Life" knows what it's like to fall into non-existence. He is reminded of how beautiful his existence is. (If you've never seen that movie, put it at the top of your list of must see movies.)
When someone dies you may hear people say, "Rest in Peace" or in some Greek communities someone may wish you, "Zoi se sas" meaning "Life to you."
In Orthodox Communities, we say something that has multiple meanings, "Memory Eternal."
Memory Eternal means:
1. One seems obvious, that you are remembered forever. However, what is the likelihood of you being remembered 5 or 6 generations from now? You'd have to do something pretty spectacular or even horrific to be remembered by a generation born 50 years after your death. Maybe your facebook profile will be always available to check back on. Who knows. But, as we know, many saints are remembered by us who never met them physically, yet know them spiritually. We know of their greatness through their stories and miracles.
2. We are shaped by the people around us. You, whether you like it or not, have a bit of your parents in you. You have parts of your closest friends, those you've spent a lot of time with. It's like caring on long standing inside jokes. When someone dies, their memory lives on in you. You act a certain way, in part because of the impact they had on you. Their memory is eternal in the people they touch.
3. The Bible eludes to instances of being forgotten by God and what that means. Psalm 50(51) references the "Land of Forgetfulness" a place of non-existence. If you are not remembered by someone, then to them you don't exist. That person doesn't know of you. If God does not remember you, you fall into non-existence. This is the truest meaning of "Memory Eternal." If you are a friend of God, if you love God, you cannot be forgotten. Your existence in Him, in paradise, is eternal.
George Baily, from "It's a Wonderful Life" knows what it's like to fall into non-existence. He is reminded of how beautiful his existence is. (If you've never seen that movie, put it at the top of your list of must see movies.)
If you're someone who struggles with pornography, you know that there has been a lot of wasted time in your life. Perhaps you're not living your life like you should be. Stopping wasting time on pornography should be a priority. Mel Gibson, as William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, encourages living with courage and purpose when he says, "Every man dies, but not every man really lives."
Consider the three meanings of "Memory Eternal." and living in a way William Wallace suggests. Christ is the lifegiver. Living like Christ is truly living and will be the reason your memory will live eternally. Be a lifeGIVER, not a lifetaker. A life giver is someone who gives themselves for the betterment of those around them. Who lives for Christ, in love with God and with their neighbor. Do that in the little things and it will happen naturally in the big things. Then your memory will be eternal and your funeral will be packed with those you positively touched.
Fill your time with good things, not pornography.
Consider the three meanings of "Memory Eternal." and living in a way William Wallace suggests. Christ is the lifegiver. Living like Christ is truly living and will be the reason your memory will live eternally. Be a lifeGIVER, not a lifetaker. A life giver is someone who gives themselves for the betterment of those around them. Who lives for Christ, in love with God and with their neighbor. Do that in the little things and it will happen naturally in the big things. Then your memory will be eternal and your funeral will be packed with those you positively touched.
Fill your time with good things, not pornography.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 6. Check out, "What do you love more than porn?" and "Passionate Love Reminder"
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. Name one thing you do that you see as not being a waste of time? 2. How do you want to be remembered at your funeral?
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Who has impacted you positively? Call them or write them to let them know how they have impacted you positively.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.