Young Adults' Group

The Worth Of A Life

by Pastor Mark
May 18, 2017

Celebrating the life of Aunty Maureen

This week, we celebrate the life of Aunty Maureen. While we are saddened by her passing, yet we choose to give thanks to God for the wonderful testimony that she has. She lived a life that manifested love for people and courage to fight with cancer. This reflected her triumphant faith in the Lord that lasted to the very end. It was a life well lived. The way in which she lived her life was not just something that became apparent only towards the end of her life. It was a life that was developed throughout her life.

As I pondered over her life, I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 7. This passage has been part of my reflections as we celebrate the life of Aunty Maureen. A few thoughts come to mind.

1.The worth of a good name

“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth;” (Eccl 7:1)

A good name brings honour and glory to a man (to the Lord). Who we are matters as it would be reflected in our name. It is never easy to develop a good name. It takes time and effort to gain a good name. But it is of great worth. A good name is better than the worth of precious ointments. Ancient ointments of worth were frankincense and spikenard oil. These were very costly ointments. Yet a good name is far more precious…of greater worth than them.

A good name brings worth to the day of death. When we die, it is having a good name that matters. It’s worth is far greater than one’s birth. Why is this so? The birth of a baby is always special. There is worth as there is great potential in any child. There is so much to look forward to. But one’s birth is of no real significance if we do not have a good name at the end of our life. Let us be challenged to appreciate the worth of a good name.

2. The worth of learning

“Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart.” (Eccl 7:2)

Why is it better to be in the house of mourning than the house of feasting? It is in the house of mourning that there is the great worth of learning lessons of life and death. This is not something that we would learn in the house of feasting where there is only revelry.

It is always sobering to think of the end of all men. This is a profound thought as we consider how all men will have to face their end one day. Death is to be faced by all…no matter what our status of life is. Let us give heart-felt consideration of our life and the way we are living.

3. The worth of wisdom

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Eccl 7:4)

There is also great wisdom learnt in the house of mourning. But only foolishness for those who go to the house of mirth. What wisdom can we gain in such times? We want to have wisdom to rethink how we have been living our life. We need wisdom to live our life with discernment and understanding. Let us be challenged to have the wisdom to take our life more seriously. Let us be challenged to have the wisdom to develop a good name as Aunty Maureen did. Let us be challenged to manifest great wisdom at the end of our life.

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