The words of a song often catch us for a while. It seems to capture and hold our attention every time we listen to it, whether it’s on the radio in stores, or when we retreat and relax in a quiet moment. It takes us to another world, not as hard or real as ‘reality’. It seems to me that one song in particular takes me there. In fact, it takes me to a special place where I not only feel joyful, but also reflect on life. cruder truth-death; and looking back at how I had lived my life from “the other side”. “When all is said and done…” The song says:

“When all is said and done, there’s only one thing that matters, did I do my best to live for the truth, did I live my life for you?

And, the part of the song that completes everything is:

You are my life when life is gone.”

It establishes the fact that once we are dead, we are in a sense absolutely subject to God’s “withdrawal”: permanently “out of commission,” having been “called” back to Him. When the life is gone, What else is there? How will it end for you? Do you ever think about it? It’s not morbid to think about it from time to time, like most things, just don’t obsess over it! Everything in moderation is the term used. Reflecting on our death helps us remain grateful…and we can learn a lot by reflecting on the purpose of life.

From the perspective of our death we can appreciate very much what our life means; it puts it in a completely different light. It can help us reconfigure and reshape our definition of success. It can clarify and reinforce our roles in life and the balance we may or may not have in those roles. Bring the truth to bear. Because the truth is often veiled and too abstract and not Appear real; what we find pleasurable is often full of lies, yet life’s true pleasures are cloaked in an unattractive veneer of hard work and discipline. We feel so disappointed. It’s almost too hard to “do the right thing,” but the secret is actually available to us, though many of us give up too soon to find it.

Take family for example. How often does work and career take precedence? Deep down we know we are making the wrong decision, but we choose what ‘feels good’. We like that feeling, don’t we? that feeling of here gratification. Yet it is so self-destructive, empty and lifeless. You enslave yourself to your career and what rewards await you? Very rarely are they close to being worth the rewards that they are. However, taking the ‘low road’, that of the family is first it means sacrifice and it takes courage, especially when you say no to your boss, it’s so countercultural. There are two powerful reasons that make it ‘too hard’ right there!

Success: we look for it and when we don’t find it, we are bewildered, confused and sometimes angry. How could we do it so wrong? We need to regularly analyze and redefine our ideas of success, through reflection and meditation (which is simply deep thought). Who is marking the “success” for you? Is it you, your spouse and your children, or is it others?

Don’t let others set the bar for ‘success’ for you, especially those who don’t love you. Find your own brand and make sure it makes sense in the long run. You want to make sure it’s linked to a legacy, so that your life represents more than a “good contribution to the company” when you’re dead. Legacies are left in the lives of your family, your friends and those you have positively impacted; and those whom you have mentored and for whom you have been a role model. Every day of life is very precious.

At death or at our funeral, how do we want our loved ones to remember us? A life well lived is a lofty and noble goal, but can you translate that into actions that can and should be credited now? Don’t delay.

Keeping life simple requires focus and discipline, both derived from diligence, which requires courage, following from faith, which comes from trust, which is wisdom, which demonstrates balance, and the effect is shalom-a healthy peace beyond any other general positive feeling whether natural or supernatural. And you cannot achieve this without being spiritual.

How bad do you want it? How much effort are you going to put in to achieve your life goals? You won’t be here forever. When all is said and done, there is only one thing that matters. Did you do your best to live for the truth? Someone will be asking that question.

© Steve J. Wickham, 2008. All rights reserved worldwide.

Song by Robin Mark with lyrics and music from “When it’s all been said and done” by Jim Cowan.