Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last

As I was ruminating this morning about my 77 years of life (44 as a Christian; 25 as a pastor and parachurch leader in the DC area) - I remembered what British missionary C.T. Studd (1860-1929) once penned: 

"Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Some of us have much joy in this life, others much sorrow. Some of us are given public platforms and recognition, and others of us live in obscurity and hardship. But one thing we’re all promised in this life is that it will soon end. Everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Nothing will be hidden. All our motivations and desires will be revealed. Then, before our Holy and Righteous God, we will all give an account of how and why we used the days, words, relationships, resources, skills, and opportunities God entrusted to us. 

For that day, O Lord make us ever mindful that only what is done for Christ will last. Lord, help us! May the legacies we leave as husbands, fathers, disciplers, as churchmen, pastors, leaders of ministries, and brothers in Christ be God-besotted, Christ-exalting and blood-bought Bible guys — who believed that God is most glorified in us when we were most satisfied in Him. May our lasting legacy be not so much in what we accomplished but in who we were in Christ Jesus. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

 Dave Brown, Director of WACMM