Reach for the Gusto but Without a Schlitz Beer
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many mansions.’ ”
There is a prayer I often use in funerals that comes from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship. The prayer includes the following two sentences: “Help us live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are ended, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.” The prayer reminds me that life is short and living intentionally should be our focus in the time we have on God’s earth.
Almost daily, I am surprised by people who live like their heart is never going to stop. They lie, steal, cheat, and perform other unjust activities. Do they think this life will end, and they must, as the old beer commercial says, “Reach for the gusto” in the short time we have left? If there is no God and no concern for divine judgment, perhaps “reaching for the gusto” is the only means of success.
Why would people with only a few years left strive so hard for celebrity and financial success? Their striving is sad. There is so much more to life if you can see it with the eyes of faith. We certainly need enough money to provide for decent food, shelter, and other expenses, but when money is the end in itself, it becomes destructive. A faithful legacy is worth more than a few extras or money left over after you die. Even if one’s goal is to leave a giant financial nest egg for your family, an unethical legacy will do more generational damage than any benefits from extravagant funding.
Your task today is to reflect on how you are living as one prepared to die. Fortunately, as people of faith, we are also called to live as those preparing to live for eternity. Unjust success in this life is of no value when standing before God’s judgment seat. Life isn’t about avoiding damnation. Instead, life is about the joy of living an intentionally ethical and faithful life, honoring the one we will one day stand before. Life’s ultimate accolade is hearing God say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful child! Come, join me in your heavenly mansion.” That is better than even the most extravagant mansion on this earth!
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