Flatirons, the church Terrie and I attend in Colorado, started a new series yesterday entitled “Famous Last Words”. Part of the service schedule at Flatirons is to sort of warm up the congregation with a 2 minute audio/video presentation about the current series. The presentation for “Famous Last Words” included images of famous historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by one of their well-known quotations. Most of the quotations were poignant, a couple were humorous but all represent the importance of famous last words and the way they reflect on those historical icons.
All of this caused me to start thinking about my last words. Will they be important? Will they be quotable? Will they define my legacy? Will anyone write them down so they can be remembered? Will they glorify God and all he has done for me in this life? Or will my last words be hurtful? Will they reflect poorly on who family and friends think I am? Will those words disappointment my wife, my sons, my grandchildren and everyone else I have been close to? Will they disappoint God?
So what is the real dilemma? If we could plan what our last words will be as we pass from life here on earth to the life God has promised us in heaven I am sure we would all come up with something inspiring, something dramatic, a statement full of love and appreciation for those who supported us, a real academy awards type presentation! The problem is, we can’t plan our last words because we never know the exact moment in time when we might need to utter this amazing amalgamation of wisdom, love and thank yous we dream up. Only God knows when we will speak for the final time.
The point? We always need to be conscious of the potential lasting impact of our words. Thinking back on my life I cannot count the times my “famous last words” would have been devastating to Terrie, Brandon, Tyler, my parents, business partners or a close friend. There is an old children’s rhyme, one that I am sure you have heard and maybe even used from time to time. Its origins date back to 1830 and it goes like this, “sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me.” What a lie! Words can cut like a knife and bruise like a fist. The real difference is, cuts and bruises heal – we can never take back the words we use. There were so many instances where the words I used with Terrie were mean, completely undeserved, calculated to cut or bruise to prove my machismo, or simply inconsiderate vomit resulting from my warped sense of self-worth. Are those the words I want to be my “famous last words?” I am so thankful God has again given me another chance.
Ben Foote, the teaching Pastor at Flatirons, referred to some of Christ’s last words, spoke as he hung on the cross for us. In Luke 23:34 the Bible tells us Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What an amazing request from a man who was betrayed by one of his followers, judged guilty of made up crimes, pierced with nails, and hung on a wooden cross to die between two criminals. He asked the father of the universe to forgive his accusers and those who carried out the orders to kill him! Let that marinate for a little while.
My encouragement to you? Learn from my mistakes. Ignore the rhyme because the truth is words can always hurt someone. Think about the words you use and always remember they might be your “famous last words.”
Doug's Journey 