What Will Your Legacy Be?
- Published
- in Spiritual Life
Do you ever think about what you are doing that will last? I think about that–a lot.
- What will I leave behind?
- What will I leave behind in my wife, children, and friends that are making a difference?
- What will I leave behind at work?
- What will be lasting in my ministry?
- What do I want to be remembered for?
- What would I like for my children to pass on to my grandchildren?
I can’t really express how important this is to me. This business of leaving behind a wonderful legacy has really altered the way I view life. Think about your own life. Is there someone who has been a part of your life whose legacy has made all the difference? Maybe it was your dad or mom. Maybe it was another relative. Perhaps you had a good friend whose investment in your life made a wonderful difference.
The other day I was talking with a friend who is also a grandfather. This man has been spending one day per week with his grandchildren for a number of years. He said, "I am tired of the contemporary view of grand-parenting which amounts to little more than play with the grandchildren, spoil them, and then give them back to their parents. I am about ministry. I spend this time every week with these young grandchildren because there is a legacy that I want to leave with them. I want to help shape their lives and pass on some values that have been very important in my life. That is my ministry."
I think he is right on target. Now here are a few things I want to pass on:
- I want to pass on Jesus. Not just Jesus preached (I obviously believe that is pretty important). I want to pass on Jesus demonstrated.
- I want to pass on to my wife the legacy of a man who took his commitments seriously. I want Charlotte to remember that she could trust me.
- I want my girls to remember that their dad was faithful to their family.
- I want to pass on to my children the importance of treating people right–no matter who they are. No matter how wealthy or how poor.
- I want them to remember the importance of paying debts, keeping promises, and being genuinely interested in people.
- I want to pass on to my children the special place of the Word of God in their lives. I want them to know that they can have confidence in Scripture as it points them to God, revealing his will and desires for their lives.
- I want to pass on to the churches that I served the importance of personal integrity and having a passion for God.
What about you? What do you wish to pass on?
Jim,
I’ve been a lurker for quite a while and have been challenged and encouraged in many ways. It’s quite serendipitous that the issue of legacy rose to the surface towards the end of my last session with my counselor. I’ve been working to unpack the importance that legacy has the rest of this week and now, today, you have provided me a fantastic example of how to work down to the core of legacy in my life. Thanks!
Great thoughts! And Amen!
For years I simply wanted to be written up in “Contending for the Faith” or in one of Goebel Music’s books! Now I just want to be known as a faithful husband, loving father, committed friend, and one who not only loved the Lord but proclaimed that love through my ministry of preaching or funeral directing.
Good post, as usual, Jim.
Like you, I want to pass on Jesus.
Charles,
Thanks for your very kind and encouraging comments. Sounds like you are doing some good work with your counselor.
Thanks again for stopping by.