by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Proverbs 4:1-7

When your life is done, you'll wish you had told more people of your faith.

You cannot study English poetry without noting the impact of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His poems have been lauded as some of the foundations of the Romantic Movement that swept England in the early 1800s. Yet of all he accomplished in his lifetime, he wished not to be remembered for the strides he made in English poetry, or the many wonderful poems he wrote. He wished to be remembered as a man who followed Christ. In his poem Epitaph he describes how he wished to be remembered:

Stop, Christian passer-by!-Stop, child of God,
And read with gentle breast. Beneath this sod
A poet lies, or that which once seemed he.
O, lift one thought in prayer for S. T. C.;
That he who many a year with toil of breath
Found death in life, may here find life in death!
Mercy for praise-to be forgiven for fame
He asked, and hoped, through Christ. Do thou the same!

Some people live their whole lives, striving for glory, working for wealth, and seeking advancement, yet at the end of their lives, they have nothing worthwhile to put on their tombstone. Their tombstone is made of marble and many come to the funeral, yet few remember their lives.

An epitaph is defined as "a commemorative inscription on a tomb or mortuary; a monument about the person buried at that site." While this is the meaning we often associate with the word epitaph, notice a second meaning of the word: "brief poem or other writing in praise of a deceased person."

If your friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors were given the task of writing an epitaph of you once you passed, what would they say? Would they speak of a kind-hearted person, always willing to help, and seeking the good of others, yet leave out your faith? Would they speak of a person who was determined, diligent, hard-working, yet had little time for others? Or would they immediately note your Christian faith, speaking of how it permeated every aspect of your life?

Solomon allowed God's Word to flow through him to those around him, especially his children. He took time to teach them the wisdom God had given him. "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law."

How bright is your Christian light? Do others know of your faith or do you do your best to hide that part of your life? Let God permeate your life, showing forth in every aspect. Don't be ashamed of your faith, but proudly claim the truth of God's Word. After all, when your life is done, you'll wish you had told more people of your faith.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 120-122 | 1 Corinthians 9