Putting Aside Material Things and Determining What Really Matters

Originally written/published July 2010

The question is often asked when a person dies, “How much did he leave?” The answer, rich man or poor man, is, of course, “Everything!” If a person’s primary purpose in life is to accumulate goods, his legacy will be brief.

Our 2010 valedictorian at Oakwood Christian School, Andrew Kyle, inspired his audience about this concept. With his permission I’d like to turn this podium over to him, and share an edited print version with you:

“We are here tonight to celebrate our graduation from this high school. Year after year, senior classes, families and friends have gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. However, I realized that instead of celebrating I found myself confused and questioning. I said ‘Why? What was the purpose of our celebration and what was the purpose for our entire high school?’

“I repeated what society has said: ‘to get an education, go to college, be well-rounded and get a good job to support a family.’ However, this conclusion only led to more scrutiny. What was the purpose of getting a job — to obtain money, to have power? This inward debate only led me to realize just how futile all of these things are. Although they may be important to us, they are nothing more than temporary material desires.

“All of this thinking led me to a stunning conclusion: We, the graduates, this audience and the entire human race, fight and work our entire lives for the things that we believe matter most. However, while they may be great while they last, all of these things vanish like smoke. When these things are all that compose our lives, then in time our existence and legacy will fade like puffs of air. We are nothing more than chemicals undergoing one reaction after another. Everything is futile, just like hamsters running on wheels, deceived and accomplishing nothing.

“I have realized that in order for our lives to have any meaning, they must revolve around the one thing that truly never fades, the one thing that truly satisfies — our holy God, his glorification and the furthering of his kingdom. If he is our focus, then our actions will not just vanish in time, but will be carved forever in eternity.

“Only with Christ do we have reason to wake up in the morning. Only with Christ do we have reason to celebrate, for He gives us all purpose. So, fellow graduates, friends and family, tonight I challenge you, I beg you, give your lives purpose, and from today on chase not after puffs of material smoke, but after Christ, for he will never fade. To him I give all honor and glory and owe all that I am.”

After hearing this valedictory speech, I recognized that this young man, who excelled academically and is well-prepared for a pre-med major this fall, also gets what really matters in life. The link has been made between his head and his heart, and he realizes that life is far more than the accumulation of things. I pray that this testimony will cause you, the reader, to consider your own legacy as well!