Legacy

I have been thinking about the concept of legacy a lot lately.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am now in my 50’s or that I became a grandmother this year. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have been remembering some dear loved ones who have passed on.  Or maybe God is trying to teach me something because it seems like everywhere I go “legacy” is the theme – from sermons to my Bible study and even posts on Facebook for crying out loud!  I can’t ignore the fact that apparently God has something to teach to me on the subject.

 

The lesson I have learned is that there are good legacies, bad legacies, and “empty” legacies.  They are all tied into the decisions I make on a day-to-day basis.  Second, a legacy isn’t something that just forms after someone is gone.  It is built day upon day; decision upon decision; all throughout my lifetime.  Third, a good legacy is not necessarily born out of a perfect life; it is built upon how I handle the times I stumble and fall as well as those times I soar on eagles’ wings.

Besides nobody has ever lived a perfect life except Jesus, and that leads me to my last observation.  Jesus has left the ultimate most important legacy of all.  He died on the cross to save us from our sins.  He walked the earth and lived a life full of compassion, always thinking of those around Him before Himself.  He lived totally obedient to God, and turned to Him first in every situation whether He was interceding for someone, praising and thanking him for his goodness, or asking for guidance.  In my quest to learn what God is trying to teach me about legacy, I could probably spend a great deal of time just studying the legacy He left us from His time on earth.

At any rate I have to ask myself what kind of legacy I have right now.  Is it a good legacy that will glorify God and continue on even after I am gone?  Is it a bad legacy (God forbid!) that brings shame to God?  Or is it an “empty” legacy that neither glorifies or shames Him – that makes no difference at all?  I know God is not asking that I be perfect; however, I know He desires an intimate relationship with me where I love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind.  He commands that I love others as myself.  As a result I will live a compassionate and obedient life dedicated to Him.  THIS is all the basis of a Godly legacy; the basis of each decision I make every day.

I know in my heart that He has so much more to say on the subject.  I am excited to learn what that is as I examine the legacy my loved ones have left me, the legacy He has given me, and the legacy I am building.  And when I am finished I will be able to complete this sentence: