The promises of heaven all have their fleeting counterfeits on earth – even in ministry. We are readily distracted from making the Name of the Lord great to making a name for ourselves. I know firsthand how easily the lines are blurred. Like many of you, I have never built a tower to reach into the heavens. Yet, I certainly have set out to make a name for myself. I have sought to live longer, have the influence of my work change a place, and to be known for what I do.

Soon after my family was “invited to leave the country” by the local authorities in a city where we had lived and planted a church, a colleague reached out. He wrote, “We want to know what went wrong so that others in similar situations won’t end up like you and be a flash in the pan.” In the moment, these words stung. Was what I had poured my life into simply a flash in the pan?

In hindsight, I appreciate the purpose of his question. Our friend valued us and our ministry and was grieving that we were unable to continue. This man was also in a place of long-term strategy and mobilization and wanted to make sure it was done well.

Our time in that city was short. Some would even say too short. But we had set out to plant seeds of eternity with tools of eternity – to make the name of our Lord known and to labor towards the Kingdom of God being established in that city. If my name is forgotten or never known, let it be because God was making His name great.

Our calling is not to pursue longevity. The psalmist reminds us that we are but a breath (Ps. 39). What we build in the physical or in society on this earth will pass away (Mt. 24:35). Rather, we are called to build on a foundation that is Jesus Christ, humbly fulfilling the task He has given us (1 Cor. 3).

Some of you will have the privilege of a long life. Fewer of you will have the privilege of a long life lived fruitfully in the place where you go. Even fewer of you will be remembered. May it be that the name of our Lord is made great in and through our lives – no matter how long we last.