Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
2 21 2025

Audio Version

Giving Away What Matters Most  –  A Sacrifice of Praise

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” — Hebrews 13:15

May I get really personal with you for a moment?  First, I want to thank those of you who prayed for my family at the passing of my mom.  But I would like to give you something that I hope will help you spiritually in the days ahead.

Yesterday, I stood before family and friends to officiate my mom’s Celebration of Life. It was an honor, a weight, and a sacrifice all at once. Even though I had done this before for my dad, this time felt heavier. I carried the responsibility of preparing everything to honor her, knowing that in doing so, I was sacrificing the ability to simply be present—to sit back, reflect, and receive the peace that others were able to find.

But could I have done it any other way? No one else knew her the way I did. No one else carried her story the way I did. Giving that responsibility to someone else was never an option. And though it cost me something, I have no regrets. Because worship—true worship—costs something.

I wasn’t prepared for how much the music would break me. I Can Only Imagine and To God Be the Glory (See Below) weren’t just songs—they were sacred echoes of my mother’s faith. When the latter played near the end, I stood at the podium, unable to hold back the weight of the moment. Then, without hesitation, my oldest daughter,  Laura, grabbed her two younger sisters, Danae, and Danielle— to stand by me and surrounded me. They held me, supported me, and loved me in a moment when I was undone.

And in that embrace, I felt the Beauty of Legacy.
What Will We Leave Behind?

That moment made me reflect on the kind of legacy we leave. My mom didn’t leave behind wealth or worldly accolades—she left behind truth! She left behind a faith so deeply rooted in Jesus that, even in her passing, her life continued to shape the hearts of those she loved.

I’ve made my share of mistakes. I’ve stumbled, failed, and wondered how God could work through my imperfections. But if there is one thing I know, it is this: God works all things for His glory. (Romans 8:28) He takes our brokenness, our efforts, and even our regrets and weaves them into something eternal.

But we must be intentional. Whether we realize it or not, we are all influencers. Every day, with our words, our actions, and our priorities, we are pointing people toward Jesus or away from Him. There is no in-between.

My Mom’s greatest message wasn’t just the message of her life, but her life with God.

So I ask you—what are you leaving behind?

When the striving is over, when the accolades fade, when the last words have been spoken over your life, what will remain? Will your legacy inspire others to live a Spirit-filled life? Will your faith be a light that continues to shine long after you are gone?

A Sacrifice That Costs Something

My mother’s Celebration of Life was more than a ceremony—it was my sacrifice of praise to God and to her. And I never want to offer up to either of them something that cost me nothing.

Living a Spirit-filled life requires that same heart posture. It means worshiping in both our victories and our struggles. It means embracing God’s love not only when life is easy, but in the moments when we feel undone. It means surrendering all—our gifts, our influence, our time—to point others to Jesus.

My prayer is that, like my mom, I will leave behind a legacy that calls my children and grandchildren to live by the light—to know the peace of God in their toughest moments and to praise Him in their greatest celebrations. And that they will pass that truth on to their generation because that is a legacy that never fades. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy to outgrow growth itself?

Reflection Questions:

What kind of legacy are you building right now?

Are you pointing others to Jesus intentionally, or passively letting life slip by?

What has God done in your life that could become part of someone else’s defining moment of faith?

What is your own sacrifice of praise—what will you offer to God, even when it costs you something?

Father, thank You for the gift of those who have gone before us—those who lived a life of faith and pointed us toward You. Help us to be intentional about the legacy we are building. Teach us to worship You with our whole life, even when it costs us something. May our words and actions lead others to know Your love, Your peace, and Your truth. Let my life be a light that points to Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen.

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