My sister knew what she was about. She figured out what her talents were and she used them fearlessly, powerfully and intentionally. She trained, practiced and used her gifts regularly. She was passionate, compassionate and loved by many including myself. I immediately knew that she did not deserve the sickness and subsequent death that she suffered. Knowing that this all can end in an instant, I asked myself: how am I going to leave this earth? I had to make a choice about what my funeral would be like – what kind of impact will my life have on others?
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21. Read here.
TRAGEDY
Following her death, I changed my approach to life completely because I learned a vital lesson about life: you don’t decide how much time you have. Therefore, to pursue purpose is to pursue uncertainty. Only an individual who embraces uncertainty can live a purpose driven life.
In my tremendous grief and pain, I went into the world differently, certain that I was certain of nothing. Rather, I became aware of my inability to control the future. I could only control my actions. On May 18, 2008, I graduated from college. Then, in August 2008, three months after her funeral, I traveled to New York. From there, I got on a flight that connected in Rome en route to Casablanca, Morocco.
I had a desire to travel to Africa all my life but could never find the time or money to do so. However, in this newfound mindset, I decided that I would make the time and the money. With all of my belongings in storage and an internship offer, I set off for Africa.
In Proverbs 19:21 it reads: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Looking back 10 years later, I can say without reservation that her death gave me a new life. Because of her death, I decided that I would live on purpose. I decided that I would follow in her footsteps. I decided that I would live to serve others.
URGENCY
The conclusion I have drawn about life is that to live truthfully we must strive to live a purpose-driven life. My sister lived her life. She was an incredible woman who developed a disease that ripped through her body. But she died powerful in purpose and her legacy and memory lives on in the lives of the people she touched. We will all end this life one day – that is not something we can change. What we can change is what the world looks like when we depart.