A Dying Man’s Charge: Day 1
Day 1: The Weight of Final Words
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how differently we listen when someone speaks their final words? Whether it's a grandparent's last conversation or a friend's parting message before moving away, these moments carry extraordinary weight. Final words strip away the trivial and reveal what truly matters most. Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 carries this same gravity. As an apostle facing imprisonment and possible death, his words weren't casual observations—they were urgent truths about what should matter most to every believer. He didn't waste time on small talk or pleasantries. Instead, he focused on something he knew would outlast his own life: the church. When someone knows their time is limited, they don't speak about trivial matters. They speak about what's worth living for and worth dying for. Paul's final words to these church leaders reveal that the church isn't just another organization or social club—it's something worth giving your life to protect and serve. Today, we live in a world full of distractions and competing priorities. We can easily get caught up in things that seem urgent but aren't truly important. Paul's example challenges us to consider: what would we talk about if we knew these were our final words? What matters so much that it would be among our last concerns? The church mattered that much to Paul because he understood something we often miss: the church represents God's eternal purposes in the world. It's not just about Sunday services or programs—it's about God's people living out His love and truth together.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood - Acts 20:28
Reflection Question
If you knew you only had one conversation left with someone you care about, what would you want them to understand about what truly matters in life?
“When time is short, words have more meaning.
And then there are words that are spoken at the end,
words spoken when a person knows that this may be their final moment.
And for whatever reason, we're drawn to these last words,
because last words strip away what's trivial, can reveal what matters most.”
-Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Lord, help me to see beyond the trivial distractions of daily life and focus on what truly matters. Give me wisdom to recognize the eternal significance of Your church and my role in it. May my words and actions reflect the same urgency and love that Paul demonstrated. Amen.