Final Words

Sometimes I ask myself, What will be the last words people hear from me? The last words I heard from my cousin Javier were, “Take care of yourself, dear.” He died from a heart attack the following day. I remember, too, a friend who lived in another city and who loved God greatly. She would always end our phone conversations with, “God bless you.” These words from my cousin and friend encouraged me and showed their care for me.

I recall Jesus’ final words to his disciples: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He calls them and all of us who follow him to proclaim his name, giving us the power to do so through the Holy Spirit.

Will my last words encourage or cause distress? Will they comfort or cause pain? We do not know what our final words will be, but if our words are filled with praise to God, surely those words will build up, encourage, and bless those around us.