Let me give you a glimpse into the mind of a narcissistic nut job.
When I was young I vividly remember having these reoccurring dreams where I was observing my own funeral. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up Mr Fitz, isn’t this a bit morbid, for a blog post?!” Well yes, but stick with me.
Bizarrely I loved these dreams. It was during these dreams that I heard everything that I wanted to hear. The girls that I fancied in real life would be inconsolable at the realization that they loved me but never had the courage to ask me out, my School came to a stand-still and even the nation went into mourning over my tragic departure. I would wake up with an ego the size of Siberia and I would start my day feeling great.
I tell you this is because recently I was reminded of these past dreams when reading ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey. The second habit is titled: ‘Beginning with the end in mind’. At the start of the chapter the author asks the reader to visualize themselves sitting at their own funeral. During the service there are 4 different speakers; a member from your family, a close friend, a colleague/ classmate and finally your pastor. What would you like these people say about your?
i. Character
ii. Contributions
iii. Achievements
Doing this exercise with honesty is tough, but worthwhile. It highlights the things in which we place our value. It exposes areas of life that aren’t in submission to God, and can even convict us with the existing remnants of our sinful humanity.
When we begin with the end in mind we refocus on the things that go beyond the here-and-now and onto the things that outlive us: our legacy. It acts as a check to recalibrate so that whenever our actions violate the criteria that we have spent time to define we can return to where we need to be. Jesus points out where this needs to be in
Matthew 6:33:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”
It’s tragic to see that so many people spend their lives focused on things that don’t really matter (chasing money, power and hedonistic pleasures). This isn’t just an issue for the unbeliever but is something that we need to keep an eye on today as Christians as it is easy to major on the minor things. For example, we become so involved in Church meetings that we miss reaching the people outside out church walls.
Stephen R. Covey states that “if the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just get’s us to the wrong place faster.”
This summer as you return to your home towns I recommend that you take time to assess the things you do and ask if the ladders of your life are leaning against the the right walls.
God bless
Gareth
