Eulogy 2-23-2022

Introduction

Life is an interesting concept. When we think about all the things we put off. When we look at words like procrastination and worry you would think we believe we have much more time than we actually have. Life is a very complex concept. We have no idea what tomorrow will look like and often times we do not even imagine life without the people we love the most. It’s not that we do not understand or even know that the inevitable will happen it’s just difficult to imagine life without people that you care about the most.

Jesus leaves us with a very pertinent outlook on life in Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25–34 NKJV

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

This portion of scripture begins shortly after Jesus calls his first disciples and begins to serve the community in a magnificent way. He heals the sick, the demon possessed, the epileptics and paralytics and healed them. As the multitudes increased Jesus went up ON A MOUNTAIN, and He teaches this lesson. Watch what Jesus does, He makes a way for the disabled prior to climbing the mountain.

Real help, real service makes a way for people even before the adventure begins. Understand that in life, if you are going to learn some life changing lessons you are going to have to take some life changing chances. The lives of people should be an example, if nothing else let the life of Roosevelt Lard be one to encourage us to take chances. There may be a life changing lesson at the top of the mountain that you are thinking about climbing.

Are you poor in spirit? There is a word for you. Blessed are those who mourn, there is a blessing for those who are meek and merciful, those who are pure in heart they shall see God!

As we move through this text we get sage advice on marriage, family, fasting, oaths and even retaliation.

As we approach the end of the 6th chapter, Jesus addresses possessions. It’s no secret we that we need things to live! Praise be to God that He provides those things.

Life is too short to worry, life is too short to complain, life is too short to hold grudges! Live life too the fullest! One of the ways we can life our life to its fullness is trust in the Lord to see us through, walking in our purpose in a faithful way, serving mankind with kindness!

One of the secrets to life is understanding what true treasure is in life. Life is not just about material things, it’s about family, it’s about serving your community, it’s about love!

The acquisition of things cannot be the primary goal, if God can provide for birds, God can add comfort to our lives in any circumstance. Instead of stockpiling STUFF, let us stockpile memories made from spending time with each other. Let us live faithfully and treat one another with love. Let us live our life according to the blessings that God has bestowed upon us.

Tomorrow is not promised, give your life to the Lord today, walk by faith today!

When we live for “things” it divides our mind and controls our will and results in worry! Take chances, if God brought you this moment it’s time to take advantage of the point that God has brought you too! Use the life that we are celebrating today to be a motivator to take chances, to serve for a cause that can change the world, most of all live a life that would make the Lord proud!

I’m reminded of the Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:24 ““Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.”

Using your gifts is not always going to be easy, but looking back on your life in a manner of what could have been will be gut wrenching! Live life to the fullest! Walk by faith, you may not see the blessedness at the end of the tunnel but I serve a God who said I will never leave you nor forsake you, give yourself an opportunity to trust in the Lord, give yourself the opportunity to learn from the lives of others and give yourself the opportunity to be adventurous enough to take A CHANCE and trust in the Lord!