What songs do you want at your funeral?
Ponder: Your way, or God’s way?
Scripture: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV).
I’ve heard some bizarre songs at funerals, haven’t you? According to a European news agency, a British funeral company polled more than 30,000 funerals. The result showed that pop songs (as opposed to hymns and classical pieces) now account for more than half of the music selected for funerals.
Among the frequently-played songs are AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” (how tacky!) and Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” (how crude)! However, the most popular song played at funerals in Britain is Frank Sinatra’s hit, “My Way.” It glorifies that self-willed, independent streak in all of us.
As much as it might flatter our ego to declare along with Sinatra, “I did it my way,” we would do well to hear the word of the Lord. Jeremiah, as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Perhaps the prophet was familiar with the wise sayings of King Solomon: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15).
Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is the very opposite of self-will. The meek person is not a spineless weakling, but an individual who has willingly subjected his strength to God. Such a person echoes the prayer of our Savior: “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
	Instead of proclaiming, “I did it my way,” let us so live that when it is our time to quit the walks of men, our song of triumph might be, “I did it God’s way!”
Song: “None of Self and All of Thee”
Prayer: God our Father, we are our own worst enemy when we insist on doing things our way. Help us, we pray, to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that You may exalt us in due time. We ask it in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)