Tombs and Remembering

This morning I went with some of my work colleagues to see some sights around Delhi. Qutb Minar and Humayun's Tomb were the focus of our morning. The Qutb Minar complex is a World Heritage site that includes a couple of Qutbs (towers) and a number of tombs. The Humayan's Tomb complex is dominated by, ... well, the tomb of Humayan. All of the tombs were impressive structures built in and around the 1500's. Their upkeep and restoration over time must have taken an extraordinary amount of people, time, and money. And for what?

Frequent readers of this blog will find this theme familiar--why do we, as humans, feel this need to leave a legacy or be remembered by generations that follow? And perhaps the more important question--are my life and legacy worth remembering? I am becoming more convinced than ever that every person builds a "kingdom." We either build our own kingdom, another person's kingdom, or God's kingdom. Parents often build their childrens' kingdoms. Spouses often build each others' kingdoms. And, of course, we most often build our own kingdom. The person who truly builds God's kingdom is rare--mostly because such a kingdom-building focus is contrary to every cultural message.

Some cultural philosophies, such as consumerism, promote building our own kingdom. Many other philosophies urge self-sacrifice and unselfishness, which leads to build the kingdoms of other people, like our children. It is only a faith-based philosophy that call us to build God's kingdom first and foremost. Now this does not mean that we do not care for our children and parents and friends--or that we do not take care of ourselves--but it means that our priorities, efforts, interests, and mindset should reflect God's desires.

The question, "what would Jesus do?" almost became trite from overuse, biut it is still a valuable question to ask. In a given circumstance, what would Jesus do? With a certain decision, how would Jesus approach the choice In a particular conversation, what would Jesus say? Living by these answers will result in building God's kingdom. And a life spent building God's kingdom will be a life worth remembering.

That much is the easy part. Now comes figuring out what it means in 21st century life to build God's kingdom. Food for thought.

Press On!