Not to be morbid, but have you ever wondered about the testimony people would give about you and your life when you are gone from this world? Would they simply state kind words of remembrance or would there be a true legacy backing up the testimony they would give?

I attended a memorial service Friday evening for a local pastor, Danny Santana. It was an incredible turnout, standing room only. It was a celebration of a life well lived. As each person got up to speak, it became clear that this servant of God had impacted many, many lives. Although I had only met him briefly, it is evident from the testimonies I heard and comments made by others around me that this individual fulfilled the purpose God had for his life and his death was not as I would originally have defined it, untimely.

I have been feeling a bit uneasy the last few weeks; as if I have fallen away from God’s purpose for my life. As a matter of fact, I began writing an article last week (which I could not finish) and the opening scripture verse was Revelations 2:4 – “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” I think you can get an idea of where that article was headed.

The fact is that I seem to have lost my focus over the last few years, and it would be so easy to make excuses as to why this happened. For example: We are definitely living in difficult times. Families are concerned about the economy, businesses closing their doors, massive job losses, homes being lost to foreclosure, etc. etc. But the truth of the matter is that especially in these difficult times believers must not lose focus. Especially in these difficult times we (and I do mean “I”) need to step up to the plate. This is a time when a world that is driven by its own strength but cannot continue in that strength will be more receptive to hear about the hope we have in Christ Jesus. This is the time to step things up; to step out of our comfort zone and outside of our church walls to serve our God.

There is no doubt that Pastor Danny leaves behind an incredible legacy. He persevered and was met by his Creator with the crown of life. (James 1:12; Revelations 2:10) I left the memorial service with a hundred thoughts running through my mind. What an amazing life his was that even in his death, he impacts and influences others.

I determined something last night while I was waiting in line to give my sincerest emphatic concern to his widow. See, I keep thinking that the ministry God has prepared for my life is something I am supposed to wait on for Him to say “go”. That I need to wait on His instruction and direction; that I need to wait until God reveals this incredible plan about what I should be doing and where He wants me. But I realized something last night: all of His instruction and direction is there in His Word. His plan and purpose for my life (and your life) is set out in that passage I know so well, the Great Commission: 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:16-20

There is no waiting period stated. Jesus doesn’t tell them “hold off until I show you how to do it, when I want you to do it, where I want you to start.” There is none of that in this passage. He states that the authority has already been given us, “[t]herefore, go. . .” I don’t have to wait on some grand vision or message to get on with the work of Jesus’s ministry. I simply have to determine to do it.

By the time I left the sanctuary I could feel that fire burning, my mind filled with incredible ideas, my heart racing like it hasn’t in a long time, and my soul filled with an incredible peace about what is about to be birthed. Perhaps that is the assurance Jesus wanted to give His discipes in the last part of Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”; that when we determine to fulfill this commandment, His presence in the midst of our service will give us an incredible peace.

Pastor Danny was ready to meet his Creator when he parted this world last Sunday. I am not. But I am ready to forge ahead so that when I reach the end of my life my Lord will say to me those words I long to hear, “Annette was in the world my good and faithful servant.”

p.s. Ministerios de Dos en Dos (Two by Two Ministries) is not a new idea. Rather, my friend Dolores and I talked about this several years ago. Up until yesterday, it was merely an idea with no real substance. Beginning now the idea takes form and takes action. For the thousands that read this blog-site each month, I ask for your ardent prayers as we begin to reach out to help women restore their lives through God’s grace and mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit, and empower them through the Word of God, that all we do bring glory to Him.

May the journey that we are about to embark on be met at the end with: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share in your Master’s happiness!’ – Matthew 25:23.