How will we be remembered?

Scripture verse that caught my attention today: 1 Kings 3:3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.

Observation: Solomon, for all of his wonders and wisdom and the like, had his faults too. In this case the offering of sacrifices and incense to other gods. Strangely, this passage seems to ignore that fact and goes on to lift up his prayer for wisdom rather than for riches and his wise judgment in the case of the two prostitutes who were fighting over the one remaining baby.

Application: It’s interesting to see how people are remembered. Solomon is largely remembered as a great and wise king. His faults are seldom trumpeted. David was known as a great king but with one large sin (his relationship with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah). In the news recently was the story of Arnold Swarzenager (sp?) separating from his wife and the story of him fathering a child through an extramarital affair. Will he be remembered primarily as an actor, a body builder, a governor, or as a cheater? It’s too early to tell.

Closer to home, how will I be remembered…or you? I’d like to think that is the bulk of our life’s work and ways of interacting in the world that would be remembered. Usually that’s the case. But exceptions are possible. A moment of exceptional greatness or exceptionally poor judgment can often color the rest of our life’s work for good or for ill.

In some ways, however, it doesn’t really matter. God knows the totality of our life and loves us for the totality of our life. When Paul wrote in Romans that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” he wasn’t kidding. And when Jesus let it be known that he [Jesus] was the Good Shepherd that lays down his life for the sheep, he wasn’t kidding either. For that we can all be thankful.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for loving us no matter how we’re remembered in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 78, & 2 Thessalonians 2)