Of late, I have been pondering over epitaphs. An epitaph is a brief summary of one’s life. It is basically what we will be known for when we pass away.
This rather sombre topic came to mind when I was researching John Wesley. I discovered that Wesley suffered a health scare in the 1750s. He came down with consumption (tuberculosis) in 1753 and was on the verge of death in 1754, when he was 51 years old. So critical was his condition that he even composed his own epitaph that year, which read:
“Here lieth the body of John Wesley, a brand, not once only, plucked out of the fire. He died of a consumption in the fifty-first year of his age, leaving (after his debts were paid) not ten pounds behind him, praying—God be merciful to me an unprofitable servant.”
We now know that Wesley survived this bout of illness and lived on for several more decades, passing away in 1791 at the ripe old age of 88. But his premature epitaph led me to consider: if my epitaph were to be composed today, how would it read? What would I want my life to be known for?
John Wesley’s 1754 epitaph emphasised three main aspects of his life:
1. Salvation: He was a brand plucked out of the fire multiple times—physically, when he was saved from a fire in 1709; and spiritually, when he received God’s gift of saving grace.
2. Simplicity: He led a simple life marked by generously giving his money away to the needy and in support of the Methodist movement.
3. Service: His life posture was characterised by humility and service, as God’s servant; and he longed to be more profitable, i.e., to do more for God’s Kingdom.
The Bible provides us examples of epitaphs from notable figures, which can serve to inspire and challenge us as well.
In the Old Testament, there is the epitaph of Moses: “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.” (Deuteronomy 34:10-11). Three aspects of Moses’ life are underscored here: (1) his vocation as a prophet, (2) his intimacy with God, and (3) the amazing works God carried out through him.
In the New Testament, we have the legacy of Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7). Three aspects of Paul’s life are highlighted: (1) he picked the right battle, (2) he committed himself to this lifelong endeavour, and (3) he was faithful to the end.
Brothers and sisters, what three things would we want our lives to be most known for? May we all strive to live with greater intentionality, in step with God’s priorities and purposes.
Amen.
