Legacy

At some point, this thing that we call life is going to end.  There will come a time when some of the things we thought were important are no longer valuable.  The only things that matter after you are gone are 1) did I know and follow Jesus, and 2) what did I leave behind to help others know and follow Jesus?  When you are gone, what will you leave behind.  Will you leave hurt, anger, bitterness, selfishness, or just a bunch of stuff that doesn't mean anything to anybody?  Or will you leave love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and an example of what it means to follow Jesus?

The thing about leaving a legacy is that it starts now.  You current actions will dictate the legacy you leave when you are gone.  Far too often we think, "I can take care of that later.  I have a lot of time to figure that out."  But then, in the blink of an eye, it's all gone, and the only thing left here on earth is your legacy.  What will people remember of you?

Leaving a legacy has everything to do with how you live your life.  Paul left a pretty awesome legacy.  He lived his life in a way that everyone observing him could tell where his allegiance was.  He summed up his life in these words:

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

For Paul, if he was breathing, his whole life would be devoted to Jesus.  And he knew that when he died the troubles of this world would be over and he would see Jesus face to face.  Later on he urged people to follow his example (Philippians 3:17).  I read and re-read his words, that we should follow his example, and I asked myself, "Could I encourage others to follow my example?"  Then I asked myself, "What kind of legacy would I leave if I felt comfortable enough with my walk with Christ that I could tell others to follow me?"

What would the impact be if you lived in a way that you felt comfortable allowing other people into your life, comfortable enough with yourself and your relationship with Jesus that they could follow your example?  What kind of legacy would you leave if everything you did was for Christ?  You only have one life, one chance to leave a legacy.  Will your legacy help others to know and follow Jesus?

We took a few moments in VIBE this past week to write our own funeral speeches (what we hope others will say about us when we die).  What do you hope people will remember you by?  I encourage you to take five minutes and write those thoughts down, then ask, "Am I living in a way that people will remember me by what I just wrote down?"  If not, what things need to change in your life?