After you are gone from here, what type of legacy do you hope you will have left? Honestly, when I think about it it’s simple: I want my family to know I was a man of God who would not stray from the path.
I want my wife to know that she is the center of my world. Also, I want my son to know I am a father who loved him beyond life itself. I want my grandchildren to know that their grandpa found joy in every moment I spent with them. And, I want my daughter in-law to know that to me she is the same as my daughter.
Is there anything else
Yes, I want my family to remember my love for them. But what is my legacy? I believe my legacy is what I leave for everyone.
The ones who have passed on before us, do you know what they left you? Several come to mind, and my first thoughts are about their love and devotion for God. I then think about how they cared for others. Next, I remember their desire to not only see their family saved but their friends also.
Our Legacy
What will people say about you when you’re gone? Will your legacy revolve around temporary things, such as living life “in the moment” or “man, they sure knew how to party”? Just think about what you will leave behind, and if it’s something that will get you into Heaven.
“8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:8-9
Walking the walk
So many people in the world today talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. They think there is an easier way into Heaven. The Word of God confirms this when it says that they “honor God with their lips but their heart is far from me.”
What do you think this means? What are you doing to make sure that you make Heaven your home? This is all a part of your legacy. I want to leave a legacy where those who knew me want to join me in Heaven.
The legacy I leave behind is this: someone else has made Heaven their home. It was the prayers and love of God that radiated from others that made me want to have part of what they had. That desire to have what they had put me in the place where God could use me. This is their legacy.
Quickstep’s Pastor
Let me tell you a true story from when I was a young man in my mid 20s. I was working third shift in a steel foundry. I had just got home and went to sleep so I could get up and go back to work that night. The pastor from Quickstep Church knocked on my door while my wife was at work. It woke me up, so I opened the door up to meet him. He smiled and introduced himself. “Hi! I’m Pastor Gordon Burger from Quickstep Church where your in-laws go. I just wanted to stop by and invite you to church.”
I said ok thank you and shut the door in his face. Guess who was my first pastor? Yep it was that same man! Brother Burger has always held a special place in my heart ever since then. But you see that is part of his legacy that he will leave here someday. He used that story many times in sermons after I became a Christian.
“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” — John 3:3-6
So what will be the legacy you leave behind? It shouldn’t be the building, cars, land, or objects you own. I hope the legacy you leave behind you is one that helped to lead others to God.
May God Bless you in your walk.