Living Beyond a Lifetime

Substitute teaching for an 8th grade Language Arts class today, several students raised their hands when they came to a particular question in the day's assignment. Previously, they had read about Anne Frank (portions of her diary and a play based on the diary) and watched a movie about her life. Anne had written that she hoped she would live on after her death. The students were asked to give their opinions: Did Anne get her wish? 

It was the wording of the question that threw them. When an explanation was given, they had no trouble with the concept. In 2012, a classroom filled with American teenagers was reading about a young girl from another era. Her memory does indeed live on, just as loved ones in their own lives are still living on in their hearts and minds.

Chances are, no one in a future era outside of a family genealogist will be discussing me or you. But it could happen. Anne Frank certainly had no idea that her journal would find its way to us, to classrooms and theaters around the world. Her world was so small, literally hidden away from view. Now it is so big, she would be amazed. I hope that she is amazed. 

Another person of humble beginnings who has gone on to "live" in the minds and hearts of many is not a Frank, but a Francis. We know him as St. Francis of Assisi.


Recently, I had a long, peaceful span of time in which to think about him and appreciate his legacy. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida includes a special garden named for him. It's not his highest achievement, by any means, but the one most recent in my own admiration. Still it is striking, when seen against the Anne Frank question. Almost a thousand years after St. Francis walked the earth, a humble but beautiful tribute to him stands in countless gardens, etched on countless plaques.

The son of a wealthy merchant, Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone lived a normal, rowdy life. He was a soldier. He enjoyed sports, buying things, having fun with his friends. He was a lover of all things French, so much so that he was given the nickname Francis. It stuck. Francis was known for having a tender heart toward the poor from an early age, but had he not had a vision, he would be forgotten, no doubt, by history. 

It was only one point on the timeline of his spiritual awakening and growth, but a life-changing point. He saw Christ in a vision telling him to build his church. The building he was in at the time was in ruins; he sold some of his father's goods to give the priest money to make repairs. For this, he got the appreciation of the church. Also beatings by dear old dad, who apparently did not share his son's altruistic views.

It's one thing to give away money that belongs to others (although politicians are especially gifted at this!) but another to sacrifice your own belongings, talents, time. In his 20s, Francis heard a sermon that changed his life even more profoundly than the vision of Christ.

Think about that. A simple sermon on a simple text from the gospel of Matthew:

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spiritsand to heal every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts — ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.

Apparently Francis was so convicted by the words that he took them literally and began to preach a simple message of repentance in his bare feet, not even a walking staff in his hand. Eventually, other men were drawn to him, hearing that oft-misunderstood but powerful call to "come and suffer." 

You can read more about St. Francis' life and the ministry that continues today. While you're at it, check out the life and message of a contemporary who was moved by Francis's life in much the same way that Francis was himself moved by a sermon. John Michael Talbot was a gifted secular musician who became disillusioned with what the carnal world had to offer, embraced Catholicism, and became a Franciscan monk. His music and ministry have blessed me personally.

Many years ago, my husband and I accompanied a youth group to a Jesus Festival in central Florida. I don't remember which of our four children was a nursing infant at the time, but I had gone to our car during a concert to discreetly feed him or her. John Michael Talbot was announced over the loudspeakers nearby. His clear, soothing voice rang out as he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. Such peace filled the car! I sat there and revelled in it, wallowed in contentment and spiritual grace.

A blessing came through John Michael Talbot. Which came because of St. Francis. Which came as the result of a simple sermon. Which was inspired by the life of Jesus. Which was given by the breath of God.

James 1:17 says that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." We can trace so many blessings...all our blessings, as a matter of fact...back to him. 


But thank God also for those along the timeline who gave voice to their visions. Who walked out their faith. Who left us a legacy. Who give us joy.

And think about the legacy we will ourselves leave behind.




(c) 2012  Permission to use with acknowledgement of source.