Leaving a Legacy
Leaving a Legacy
So what is a Legacy?
Webster has two basic dictionary definitions:
1. something (such as property or money) that is received from someone who has died
2. something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past
Truthfully, I have never thought of a legacy in reference to anything material that would be included in a will. I think that a legacy is that collective package of all the lofty values, words of wisdom, examples lived, ideals, character traits, and life lessons that are unique to you which can somehow be grasped, taken up, or otherwise processed by another individual or group after you die. Your legacy is the observable summation of what was good about your life. So the question might be, “What do people see when they look at your life?” But I would challenge your thinking to ignore that question because of 1 Samuel 16:7 which says, “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Go a huge step further and ask, “What does God see when He looks at my life?” After all, who is the only one that actually knows the truth about us? Who is it that looks at your legacy and has the authority to say the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?” Who is it that we ultimately want to please?
Satan is the "accuser of the brethren" who only wants to destroy you and ruin your reputation in the eyes of the world. He also wants to destroy your legacy so that you leave nothing behind that could be of any benefit to others after you die. Don't let Satan convince you that you have crossed the line and are beyond redemption. The Father is not through with you yet!
So, what kind of legacy are you in the process of leaving behind you? Whether you know it or not, you are working on your “legacy project” every day of your life. And so let this be our prayer today: Father, thank you for this another day of life! Teach me something new about yourself today, and make me the kind of person that can be still long enough to learn it! And help me learn that your opinion of me is the only one that really matters. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
So what is a Legacy? Webster has two basic dictionary definitions:
1. something (such as property or money) that is received from someone who has died
2. something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past
Truthfully, I have never thought of a legacy in reference to anything material that would be included in a will. I think that a legacy is that collective package of all the lofty values, words of wisdom, examples lived, ideals, character traits, and life lessons that are unique to you which can somehow be grasped, taken up, or otherwise processed by another individual or group after you die. Your legacy is the observable summation of what was good about your life. So the question might be, “What do people see when they look at your life?” But I would challenge your thinking to ignore that question because of 1 Samuel 16:7 which says, “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Go a huge step further and ask, “What does God see when He looks at my life?” After all, who is the only one that actually knows the truth about us? Who is it that looks at your legacy and has the authority to say the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?” Who is it that we ultimately want to please?
Satan is the "accuser of the brethren" who only wants to destroy you and ruin your reputation in the eyes of the world. He also wants to destroy your legacy so that you leave nothing behind that could be of any benefit to others after you die. Don't let Satan convince you that you have crossed the line and are beyond redemption. The Father is not through with you yet!
So, what kind of legacy are you in the process of leaving behind you? Whether you know it or not, you are working on your “legacy project” every day of your life. And so let this be our prayer today: Father, thank you for this another day of life! Teach me something new about yourself today, and make me the kind of person that can be still long enough to learn it! And help me learn that your opinion of me is the only one that really matters. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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