Living Backwards

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6-7

Every once in a while, I think it’s a good thing to pause and reflect upon our lives, to take a moment and ask ourselves questions like: How am I growing in my faith? Can other people see my growth? What are my spiritual goals? Tough questions I know. Ones we usually don’t ask a friend over coffee, but worth thinking about today.

I had to answer those questions of myself last summer, as I wrote the final chapter of a church-wide Bible study. My chapter was designed to spur people on to continue growing in their faith now that the study had ended. As I pondered how to encourage folks of all ages and backgrounds, I landed on a sentiment we all have in common: This life is short and we all only have one life to live. 

I decided to share something precious I’d learned from my Women’s Bible Study group. For three years now we’ve gathered together every week in order to know God more intimately and each other more intentionally. We’ve laughed and cried more than I would have ever imagined.  We’ve celebrated marriages, babies, and hearts being reunited with Jesus.  But we’ve also walked four dear women through the final days of their lives.  Cancer stole them from our circles. 

But God, in His divine ability to give hope in the midst of tragedy, used their memorial services to teach me precious truths. Truths I believe can spur you on in your spiritual journey.  

At Alice’s Memorial Service, everyone who spoke was awed by her powerful, all-consuming love.  Her family and friends shared stories of her putting her “fierce” love into action every day.  Alice sewed bibs for unborn babies, sent care packages to loved ones, and even bought a house in California across the street from her grandchildren, so she wouldn’t miss their milestones.  Love compelled Alice to pray for family, friends, and neighbors every day, and often many times at night.  

Alice was easy to love because she loved first.  When her faith was tested through fighting cancer, she never turned her back on her first love, Jesus.  She expressed her love to God by giving Him thanks… no matter what.  Even through pain and suffering, Alice thanked loved ones for their help, her doctors for trying their best, and even complete strangers who encouraged her in the hospital halls.  Alice’s love and gratitude have surely outlived her life here on earth. 

All who attended Jane’s Memorial Service will tell you that she lifted God’s Word high and spoke it loud. Her life emulated the Bible.  She clothed herself with kindness, humbled herself under God’s mighty hand, and loved the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul.  She forgave because she was forgiven, trusted God for His understanding, and counted on prayer to miraculously heal. In her first three bouts with cancer, Jane’s life had been saved by God’s healing hand.  She trusted that nothing was impossible for Jesus.  

But the fourth time, things were different.  After fighting a good fight, Jane knew she’d lost.  Surprisingly, she wasn’t angry with God.  She was thankful, praising God for the new body she’d soon have in heaven, one that would allow her to once again play Pickle Ball and collect shells on the beach.  With bold confidence in Christ, Jane prayed for one final miracle.  She didn’t want to burden her family during the final three months she’d been given to live by her doctors.  She wanted to sprint home to heaven.  

God came through again for Jane.  He welcomed her into His loving arms only seventeen days later. To the very end, Jane’s life shouted that God’s Word can be trusted and He still performs miracles today. I can imagine her in heaven right now singing, playing, praising, and encouraging all of us to love God’s Word.  

Reflecting on these women’s lives, God has challenged me to live with the end in mind.

What if YOU were to live your life backwards?  

Start with your own memorial service. Close your eyes and imagine it unfolding. 

• Who would share stories of your strong faith?  
• What key words would be used over and over again to describe you?  
• Would your love light up the room?  
• Would others know God because of you?  
• Would laughter erupt because your joy abounded in all the circumstances? 
• Would compassion and kindness be passed down to the next generation because of your powerful example?  
• Would your family and friends marvel at how you loved God and others with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? 

How would your today look different if your eyes were fixed on your final tomorrow?  

God’s Word challenges us to live every day rooted in Jesus, built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and live lives overflowing with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). When we meet the challenge, we will be accumulating faith stories others will share even after we’ve left this earth.  

When asked what the greatest commandment from God was, Jesus told His disciples to love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And love others as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). When we love, we’re building a legacy that long outlives us.

And when we’re searching for God’s will for our lives, we find it in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Be joyful always; pray continually; and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  

Will you live your life backwards?  

Go after a life of love as if your life depends on it – because it does (1 Corinthians 14:1 (MSG)).

Ready, set, go!  

Here’s a 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call Experiment to Live Your Life Backwards.

        1. LOVE GOD

Choose one way to love God more profoundly.  

Put it into practice.

Tell Him, show Him, and spend time with Him. 

Yes, faith growth takes effort.  

Fill in the blank.

I will grow my love for God by ____________________________.

2.  LOVE OTHERS

Choose to love others more powerfully.

Pick one person to love on purpose this week.  

Plan ways to show your love in action.  

Tell them, show them, listen to them, spend time with them….be creative.

Fill in the blanks.

I will show my love for __________ by ______________________.

3.  LOVE YOUR LIFE

Choose to live your life backwards purposefully.

Write down the words you hope will characterize your life.

How will your mind, heart, body and soul emulate your hopes?

In what ways can you reach your circle of influence to write your own faith stories that will outlive your life?

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:17

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World

Thank You for Being a Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement