Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The Results of a Good Life (Part One)”
“If you respect the Lord, you will live longer…” – Proverbs 10:27 (CEV)

This, and the number of verses like it have always been a bit troublesome to me—especially when it comes to attempting to explain why it is that some very good people, some very deeply spiritual people suffer, and/or leave this world far too early.
We have been down this road a time or two in previous messages so I want to be cautious in my approach and not be too overly repetitive—however, it is an issue that must be addressed if we are to understand God’s heart and not become hardened in spirit especially when what we read and what we would like to believe is contradicted by some of the harsh realities of life. In other words, life and faith are often in opposition to each other—so what do we do? What is the truth here?
What is the definition of a “good” life? I am sure we all have our opinions so allow me to offer mine to see if this helps to understand this verse with a bit more clarity.
When I was pastoring my first church I was initiated into the funeral business. One of the members of the Church owned a funeral home and was always in need of assistance. Given the fact it was a young, small congregation the additional income was welcome. Since that time I have made the choice to “attach” myself to a local funeral in every place we have lived. Needless to say that in the past twenty-five years I have assisted or conducted many funerals. Of those services I would estimate that 75% (or more) have been for those who were 80 years of age or older. Is this important? It is if you measure the success of a person’s life in years. And…if that were the case then each of those funerals would be joyful and filled with great celebration but I can attest first hand that is far from reality.
Let us for a moment return to a verse we reviewed earlier in chapter ten: “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing…” (Verse 7) Could this be the result of what it means to live a good life—one that is “respectful” of God?
One of Charles Dickens’ more popular and profitable works was, A Tale of Two Cities. It was set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature.
The book is about the contrast between two men—Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. Darnay, a French aristocrat who was also a very moral and virtuous man finds himself falsely accused of treason and imprisoned, condemned to die by the guillotine. Carton’s life, however was quite the opposite. Carton was self-indulgent, an alcoholic and prone to self-pity. He was also Darnay’s lawyer and, bore a striking resemblance to Darnay. The book concludes with Carton drugging Darnay, switching clothes with him and taking his place to die. In one the last lines we hear these words from Carton, and one of the great quotes in history: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.” There are a host of factors that could be the power behind Dickens’s creative thinking as for the reason behind why Carton, a man whose life was one selfish act after another would make such a sacrifice—but as one commentator observes, “Darnay’s life was an example of goodness, something that Carton had not truly witnessed and when exposed to this Carton knew that Darnay deserved to have his life restored.” A life of love and faith is one to be celebrated. One that has significance and meaning even to those who appear to be outside observers. Would our lives be considered “good” by those observing them? How would we be celebrated by our family or friends—or would it be a celebration? Regardless of the length, it is the results that truly matter. Something to truly consider, don’t you think?
Pastor J. T. Carnell.