13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions. Psalm 49:13-14

Many reading this will recognize the lyrics to the song below made popular by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The lyrics can be understood from a “self-made” man point of view or from an arrogant, conceited man viewpoint.

My Way.

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
“Oh no, oh no not me,
I did it my way”.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows –
And did it my way!

Those words are powerful because they tell a story about a man who had it rough but worked his way to become successful. While nothing is said about what he accomplished, you get the feeling that, as the words say, “I planned each charted course; Each careful step along the byway.” He had purpose. He had resolve.

Of course it’s only a song. We know that. And yet millions could sing that song about themselves.

Or can they?

None of us live and work in a vacuum. None of us have accomplished anything on our own. There are the teachers, professors, fathers, mothers, uncles, friends, mentors, coaches and many others who encouraged us along the way. Many of them challenged our imaginations and helped us dream. Many of them could have seriously discouraged us in certain areas, which had a similar effect on us.

In the end, though, it was God who opened the doors, closed the doors, brought someone along, took someone out of the way, encouraged us with the Word of God and with kind loving friends who would chastise us when we strayed.

The older I get and the longer I walk with God, the more I see His hand in many phases of my life. I see his handiwork in my life and in those I’ve helped along the way.

Did I do it my way? Well, sort of, with a lot of help along the way.