There is the profound by Bill Keane, cartoonist – “Did you ever realize that the little dash between the two dates on your gravestone (birth and death) will represent your entire lifetime?”; to the inspirational by Pat Boone, Christian – “Address for eternity – heaven.”; to the sad by Robin Leach, executive producer and host for the television series “Life styles of the Rich and the Famous” – “Hi, this is Robin Leach standing outside the pearly gates!”; or the disturbing by Anthony Franciosa, actor, “As I lie here I can’t help thinking, My life has been a joke – And it’s no laughing matter.”

Psychologist Dr Laura Schlessinger wrote in Larry King’s book, “How arrogant to write your own epitaph!” Yet, we are all writing our own epitaph or obituary. Our life, our choices, actions, how we treat other, how we treat God and His Son Jesus Christ, and how we spend our time on earth will be remembered and brought into account when we stand before the throne of God. “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:9-12).

In the end all that really matters is what God thinks and says about us. Consider some epitaphs recorded for us in the Bible. Perhaps we can learn some lessons to help us live our lives well on earth. The thing that pleases God is faith and obedience. Read the epitaphs of a multitude of great men and women listed in Hebrews 11. Able was killed by his brother, left behind this obituary, “By faith Able offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found because God translated him for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5-6).

In the Bible we also find some ignominious epitaphs and obituaries. Cain – “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Abner – “Died as a fool dies?” (II Samuel 3:33) Samson – “And he knew not that the Lord was departed from him” (Judges 16:20). Ananias and Sapphira – “’How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door and shall carry you out.’ Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up the ghost and the young men came in and found her dead and carrying her forth buried her by her husband” (Acts 5!1-11). The rich man – “But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool! This night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided” (Luke 12:20).

Consider a few inspiring examples of men and women who had great epitaphs and obituaries found in God’s Word. Esther – “Who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Moses – “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). John the Baptist and those in the kingdom of heaven by the new birth. (See John 3:3.) “Verily I say unto you. Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).

The Apostle Paul wrote his own obituary and included a promise for you to hold on to until you come to the end of your life. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day and not to me only but to all who love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).

How do you want to be remembered when you are gone? Do you value God’s esteem and estimate of your life more than man’s? Do you desire to hear the Lord say to you at the end of your life, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21)? Remember – life is short but eternity is sure. (See Psalm 89:47.) We are to “number our days” (Psalm 90:12) by “redeeming our time” (Psalm 48:4) not wasting it (Ephesians 5:16). Study and apply Psalm 90 to your life.

We are writing our own epitaph by the choices we make each day. Do not neglect God’s gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
How will you be remembered when you are gone?