Legacy
What kind of legacy are we leaving?
I recently attended the funeral of a friend’s father. During the service, the speaker shared what his life’s theme song would have been. That got me thinking. What would mine be? What song would encapsulate the story of my life?
As I pondered this, I began retracing the journey of my life: childhood, the (often cringeworthy) teenage years, married life, the season of stay-at-home parenting, and now, returning to the workplace. How do you sum up all of that in one expression? More importantly, what kind of legacy am I leaving behind?
When we hear the word legacy, we often think of money or property left to heirs. And yes, the dictionary does define it that way. But legacy also means something far deeper: the lasting impact of our actions and values.
In Scripture, legacy does include material inheritance, but even more significant is the spiritual and moral legacy we pass on.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Leaving behind a financial legacy is a great thing. But how much more important is it to leave behind a legacy of faith—a life that points to the love and faithfulness of our God?
In Joshua 4, we see another example of legacy:
Joshua 4:5-7 (NIV)
Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord... These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
Joshua instructed the Israelites to set up physical reminders—stones of remembrance—to mark God's faithfulness. Every time someone looked at those stones, they would be reminded of what God had done.
What stones of remembrance are we placing in our lives? What tangible or intentional moments are we setting up that remind our children, our friends, and ourselves that God is good, faithful, loving, and always present?
Here are a few ways we can build that kind of legacy:
What are the “stones” in your life, reminders of God’s faithfulness, that you are leaving behind? What steps can you take today to build a lasting legacy for those God has entrusted to you?
You may never know the full impact of your faith this side of heaven, but live in such a way that those who come after you will know: God was here, He is good, and He loves you.
I recently attended the funeral of a friend’s father. During the service, the speaker shared what his life’s theme song would have been. That got me thinking. What would mine be? What song would encapsulate the story of my life?
As I pondered this, I began retracing the journey of my life: childhood, the (often cringeworthy) teenage years, married life, the season of stay-at-home parenting, and now, returning to the workplace. How do you sum up all of that in one expression? More importantly, what kind of legacy am I leaving behind?
When we hear the word legacy, we often think of money or property left to heirs. And yes, the dictionary does define it that way. But legacy also means something far deeper: the lasting impact of our actions and values.
In Scripture, legacy does include material inheritance, but even more significant is the spiritual and moral legacy we pass on.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Leaving behind a financial legacy is a great thing. But how much more important is it to leave behind a legacy of faith—a life that points to the love and faithfulness of our God?
In Joshua 4, we see another example of legacy:
Joshua 4:5-7 (NIV)
Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord... These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
Joshua instructed the Israelites to set up physical reminders—stones of remembrance—to mark God's faithfulness. Every time someone looked at those stones, they would be reminded of what God had done.
What stones of remembrance are we placing in our lives? What tangible or intentional moments are we setting up that remind our children, our friends, and ourselves that God is good, faithful, loving, and always present?
Here are a few ways we can build that kind of legacy:
- Live a life that reflects your faith. Cultivate your relationship with God through prayer, reading Scripture, and worship with other believers.
- Talk about your faith. Share your spiritual journey with your family and friends. Let them hear what God is teaching you.
- Serve others together. Step outside a self-focused mindset and model compassion and generosity to your children and community.
- Share your testimony honestly. Talk about your highs and lows and how God showed up in both.
- Mentor and disciple. Lead a Small Group, invest in younger believers, and be intentional about pouring into others.
What are the “stones” in your life, reminders of God’s faithfulness, that you are leaving behind? What steps can you take today to build a lasting legacy for those God has entrusted to you?
You may never know the full impact of your faith this side of heaven, but live in such a way that those who come after you will know: God was here, He is good, and He loves you.
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2 Comments
So good, Melissa!
So good!