My “So Called” Eulogy | Kathy Collard Miller
My “So Called” Eulogy
First of all, let me clarify I’m not dying. I’m healthy and doing great. I do not need a eulogy now.
I began thinking about my eulogy as I was recently studying Acts 13. I realized I would like my memorial service to refer to Acts 13. I think it would make for a great eulogy and also share the Gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. So maybe someone will remember to refer to Acts 13 when God calls me home, after a few more decades, I hope.
In Acts 13:16-39, the Apostle Paul is relating how even though God was working throughout the Israelite history, the Promised Messiah didn’t appear. He gives many examples:
Verses 16-19: God worked through the Israelites pulling them out of Egypt and directing them to their Promised Land–but the Promised Messiah didn’t appear.
Verse 20: God gave the Israelites judges but the Judge Jesus who is the Messiah wasn’t one of them.
Verses 21-22: The people asked for a king and God provided Saul, David and many others. But The King Jesus, the Messiah, wasn’t one of them.
Verses 24-25: John the Baptist arrived on the scene and many thought, “This is him!” But no. Even “As John was completing his work, he said…” …basically, I’m not the Messiah but I know who He is!
Verses 26: Paul says, finally, “it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.” He continues giving the credentials indicating Jesus is The One, The Expected One. Paul summarizes what happened, how Jesus was executed and everything God had predicted occurred. He was raised from the dead and then many saw him in his resurrected state.
verse 32: “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.”
Verse 34: “God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay.”
And in verses 36, we find the fabulous foundation for any eulogy:
“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.“
When you and I “fall asleep”, when we die, may we know we served God’s purposes in our own generation.
That is my prayer, plea, and purpose. To complete the work God intended for me–in my own generation.
And the primary purpose of my life is what Paul declared in verses 38-39: “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
As I studied Acts 13, it became so clear that Paul was saying, “Think this person is the One? Nope. Think this event will reveal The One? Nope. All these people and events were preparation for the greatest and grandest appearance of Jesus, the predicted Messiah, Savior, King, Prophet, and Fulfillment.
What do you want said about you at your memorial service? I want someone to say, “Kathy served God’s purposes in her own generation.’” TWEET THAT!!!!!
After God saved me in 1967, I had no clue as to God’s plan, but Ephesians 2:10 became very important to me:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Doesn’t that thrill you? I hope it thrills you like it does me. The events and people Paul preached about are remembered. I don’t suppose I’ll be remembered for long. But I trust that the fruit of God’s work through me will endure for His glory.
