When people look back at your life, what do you want to be known for?

Most of us, at least at some point, want to be known for something. For some, you may want to be known as a great musician or artist. For others, it may be as a great teacher.

When I watch the Olympics (when they aren’t canceled due to a pandemic), I see a bunch of people who want to be known not only as great athletes but as the best in their sport. They will train hours and hours a day, 7 days a week to be the best.

These dreams are all well and good, but there is something else that Jesus wants us to be known for, our love.

God is Love.

Jesus came to demonstrate His love for us by laying down His life for us. As those who have taken on the name of Jesus in our baptism, we too, are marked by and formed by love.

Seeking Fame At Any Cost
Today, social media has spawned a new age of people trying to become famous. It used to be that you had to work hard and be good at something to become famous, but now people try to become famous before they do anything of note and many are willing to do all kinds of unseemly things to get that fame.

I can’t help but remember Mother Teresa. She dedicated her life to loving the least in Kolkata. She didn’t seek fame, but it came to her and that fame came for a great reason…because she loved people.

I’m not telling you to be world-famous.

In fact, I think seeking fame is almost always a bad idea.

Most of us won’t be known to the world and that’s just fine. We are, however, known to those around us. It is in this sphere that we can have the greatest impact. The love we give to those around us builds them up. It gives hope and encouragement. It protects and cares for them. It can change someone’s life…It can save someone’s life.

The God who is love lives within us.

He has made His home with us. And He calls us to love one another as He loves. It is this love that Jesus wants us to be known for. As we show Jesus’ love to others, we show others Jesus. Nothing and no one else has a bigger impact on people’s lives than Jesus.

Heavenly Father,

The appeal of fame is alluring. Keep me from seeking fame. Rather, help me to seek ways to show Your love to others. I pray that at the end of my life, I would be known for the love I had for You and the people You put around me.

Amen.