Death Survives in God's Lesson in the Shells

Have you ever walked along a beach and found a particularly beautiful shell? They come in more sizes, shapes and colors than you could catalogue. From common oyster shells to ornate conch shells with twists and curls that are inspiring in their details. They come in the image of fans, oblong gnarly shapes, polished pieces of mother of pearl, and slivers of onyx that glisten in the sun. We have a collection of them from all the times we have visited the ocean. Our collection also includes a few starfish and ornate pieces of drift wood, carved and formed by the Creator Himself. God's shells find their way to local stores where they are sold as necklaces, ear rings, pins and bracelets. Some are just put in jars with some grains of sand so you can take a bit of the beach home with you. If you take the time, the variety of shapes, colors, and sizes can fill you with wonder as they reflect the creativity of the God who made them. If you do not live near a body of water you can discover the same wonder in a river bed filled with God's carved and polished stones. His creation exuberantly proclaims the wonder of His hand if we would just take a moment to observe it.

There is one thing all the shells on the beach have in common. No matter their shape, size or color, they are all the remains of something that has died. Not to be morbid, but it is honestly amazing how that which was once alive can bring such a testimony to the one who gave it life, even after that life has passed. Death, for believers, has a way of pulling us in two directions. The Apostle Paul understood this struggle, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you" (Philippians 1:21-24). For the followers of Messiah, death is just one step closer to the "incorruptible" body and a dwelling place in the New Jerusalem. No more pain, sorrow, death or disease. The question posed by the shells is, "What will we leave behind?"

God has a way of putting things in perspective. We take great effort to avoid death or to at least give the illusion that we can keep it at bay. The airways are filled with messages of ointments and serums to reduce our wrinkles, droopy eyelids and sagging skin. There are more supplements offered every day to give us vitality, endurance and a more exciting bedroom experience. All so we can have a more attractive corpse. Don't get me wrong, I take a few supplements to maintain good blood pressure and a healthy level of B12. I visit the gym three of four times a week to keep the joints moving and the pounds from accumulating. I understand that this is the only body I have to serve the Lord and the people I care for. God calls this remarkable body He created just a pot made of dirt. Well, actually an "earthen vessel" (2 Corinthians 4:7). It is a temporary thing to be upgraded with one meant for eternal use. The Apostle Paul refers to our bodies in this way, "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up in life" (2 Corinthians 5:4). Paul sees real us, our soul as it were, as being trapped in an earthly tent. This physical body is groaning and burdened, waiting to be renewed. Some mornings I know exactly what the Apostle means. Paul was a tent maker so he was aware of his own illustration. Our bodies, like tents, are for temporary use and no matter how carefully made and maintained, they eventually wore out. 

This being the case, we should take a more serious look at Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Our time on this planet is limited. The days are numbered and they pass by quickly. It is reasonable and logical to live for things beyond ourselves. We need to consider what kind of legacy will be left on the beach when this shell is discarded.

There are two areas I would like to consider. One comes from the Apostle Paul, who understood how transient we really are. He also knew that the road should continue after he departed. He took it upon himself to prepare others for ministry. Among the many Paul ministered with and encouraged he had one son in the faith that whose life he chose to build into. Timothy was special to Paul. We can see that as he accompanies Paul and is sent out to check on the various assemblies of believers where Paul had previously ministered (see 1 Corinthians 4:17 and 1 Thessalonians 3:2). Paul wrote two letters that are included in the Scriptures to reveal the depth of their relationship. They also record Paul's instructions for Timothy to carry on the ministry. Part of this commission was Paul's desire to see Timothy follow Paul's example. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul's desire was to see a train of shells along the shore, one leading to another, each with its own special beauty, each reflecting the glory of their creator, after they were gone. This was not a new idea. Elijah did the same for Elisha, two unique shells resting on God's shoreline bearing the character and distinct markings of a servant of the Lord. David passed on much to Solomon, including the charge to build God's temple. Which leads me to the second area of shell reproduction.

We have the same opportunity as the Apostle Paul, or Timothy, Elijah or Elisha. We can also have something in common with Solomon's father, David. Moses captured this for us in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (emphasis mine). We are commanded to pass on the knowledge of the Lord to our children. It is not an option. We are not to allow them to grow up to decide what they want to believe when they are old enough. We are to live out the truth every day, in our homes, as we work and as we interact with others. Our children are to be both diligently taught and to readily observe that the Lord is God. Our walk must reflect our teaching. Children are to be directed to implant God's word into their hearts, minds, and lives, as we do the same. If we do not have children we may have nephews, nieces, and children of friends whose lives we can build into. If the Lord's kingdom is to be advanced there needs to be another generation to take our place.

If you are like me you may be aware that the number of days before you, in this world, are fewer than the ones that have past. Paul, David, Elijah, Samuel and so many others left us the example of passing on a legacy that will honor the Lord and advance His kingdom. Closer to home I have thoughts of those who have vacated their shells, heading onto glory, These lives deeply encouraged mine. Some, I thought left too soon. Others had run the race and after ninety plus years their bodies were demonstrating that these earthen vessels were only meant to last so long. They were ready to move on. They all left behind an amazing variety of shells on the beaches of my mind. Some with artistic colors and curls, some showing the gnarly abrasions revealing the buffeting waves of life they had endured. All reflect the impact of having been a vessel for God. Their tents are folded, their vessels are broken, but the shells of their lives remain to encourage those of us who are left to continue the trek down the beach of life. The message they leave behind remind us that a legacy will remain. What kind of testimony will your shell leave behind?