There have been some great feats achieved by humans in the name of love. There are so many great love stories of monuments, sacrifices, and memorials that have been created in the name of love. In 2001 I had the distinct privilege of visiting one of the most famous and most beautiful monuments of love… the Taj Mahal.
I remember, on our tour of the exquisite edifice, hearing about Emperor Shah Jahan’s lavish love of his third wife, Arjumand Bano Begum. Arjumand’s name, after marrying the emperor, was changed to Mumtaz Mahal (meaning “jewel/crown of the palace”). After the death of Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal was a memorial/monument that the emperor had constructed in her memory. Mumtaz Mahal is said to have been the favorite wife of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The emperor employed an estimated 20,000 workers for the completion of the Taj Mahal, and it took almost 22 years for it to be completed in its entirety! Now that is some dedication for love! I have also heard that the cost of everything was an equivalent in today’s dollar amount of almost $830,000,000! What a monument to leave behind for someone you love (though some feel it is excessive and a waste). No matter whether you appreciate the magnitude of this gift of love or not, I must admit that it was impressive to me, what lengths humans will go to show and express love.
The Taj Mahal got me thinking. I have a great love. His name is Jesus. I want to construct a monument for Him, that has great magnitude and permanency for His glory. While it may not be a physical structure per se, and it’s beauty and presence may not always be observed or visible, I believe that Abogar International Ministries is to be a ‘Taj Mahal’. While it requires great commitment, time, and hard work, the end result shall be that it’s beauty will proclaim and declare my love for Jesus.
I worry not about the cost, the time, nor naysayers nor opposition. God has rescued me, transformed me, and given me a great love. I am passionately, whole-heartedly, fully in love with Jesus. Hiring 20,000 workers (or 20), laboring for more than 20 years, and in the meantime having to wait to see the final outcome are all small prices to pay to create something that points to my favorite and greatest love. Some will say it’s too lavish, too much sacrifice, unwise, or a waste. But today, in the world, one of the great Seven Wonders of The World is the Taj Mahal. In heaven I am hopeful that one of the great Seven Wonders of Hearts and Lives Surrendered to God will be Abogar International Ministries.
God’s heart is for children. Abogar’s heart is for children. And, as we invest in and love on them, we are building an eternal structure; lives changed and transformed by God’s love all for His glory. Some say I am crazy, and I just may be, but the truth of my heart and life is that I want to construct a beautiful ‘Taj Mahal’ to Jesus, my greatest and favorite love!
How about you? What or who is your greatest love? What monument of honor and remembrance will your life leave, pointing to your favorite and greatest love? Are you leaving a legacy of love for the glory of God? Or will you fade away unnoticed, as will your love?
There is only one ‘Taj Mahal’. And there was only one Emperor Shah Jahan. There is only one of you. What legacy of love will you leave? What monument of love has (or will) your life created for your favorite and greatest love? I hope and pray that the legacy of love in my life will be a ministry that grows and effectively ministers to and rescues a multitude of children from homelessness, loneliness, poverty, and depravity. I hope that, as Jesus looks at the results of my life, different than most humans will, He will see a magnificent monument of love, sacrifice, hard work, and beauty!
