Ludwig Nobel died in 1888. A French newpaper mistook Ludwig's death for that of his brother, Alfred, and erroneously published an obituary for Alfred, who is one of the few people to read their own obituary. The newspaper condemned Alfred Nobel for inventing dynamite, claiming he "became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before," and giving him the infamous title "The Master of Death." Nobel was very distressed by what people thought of him and how he would be remembered. Reading his obituary transformed his life and he thereafter sought to improve his image, and for people to remember him using his wealth for the benefit of society. He proceeded to change his will to provide that ninety-four percent of his total assets would be placed in a foundation and used to create five "prizes" for those who bestowed the “greatest benefit on mankind” in the fields of medicine, literature, chemisty, physics, and peace. Today, there are probably many who have heard of the "Nobel Prizes," and probably few who remember Alfred Nobel as the inventor of dynamite.
Stephen Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, stated that the second habit was to "Begin with the End in Mind." He asks you to imagine that you had died and were lying in a casket, and to reflect on what you would want someone from your family, your friends, your profession, and your church to each say about you. The purpose of this exercise is to create a personal vision statement for yourself, subscribing to what values really matter most to you, and "the criterion by which everything else is examined."
If you died today, what do you imagine people will say about you as you lie in a casket, especially when it is being said privately? Will they be silent and have no good words to offer? Or will they judge and say that you were self-centered, a workaholic, and not to be trusted, you always wanted to acquire more money, pleaure, power and prestige, you were estranged from your spouse and children, you had few, if any, real friends, you didn't believe in God, and you could care less about what happens to others in need, or what happens to you when you die?
Take time to reflect on what do you want people to say about you at your death? That you were a devoted and loving spouse? You were a loving, nurturing, caring, and supportive parent to your children? You had integrity? You were kind and generous, who sought to be a good friend to others? You freely, willingly, and selflessly gave of yourself to help others in need? You were a person of prayer, your trust was in God, and you were a dedicated follower of the Way of Christ in this life, after which you hoped and yearned to spend eternity with God?
Don't be imprisoned by your past ways of being, thinking, and acting. You can choose now to begin to change your life. Open your heart and mind to humbly and sincerely pray for the desire to experience God's presence in your life, allowing the Spirit to guide and empower you, striving to do God's will, and to allow God's unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to embrace and transform you and your life to fully become the person God intends for you. Surrender to Christ, and allow Christ and the Way of Christ to become the center and focus of your being, thinking, and acting. Christ is knocking at the door to your heart, seeking to enter into your life (Rev 3:20). It is your choice whether or not to open the door and let Christ in. Don't wait until it's too late.