What Will Your Legacy Be?

Do you ever think about what you are doing that will last? I think about that--a lot. What will I leave behind? What will I leave behind in my wife, children, and friends that are making a difference? What will I leave behind at work? What will be lasting in my ministry? What do I want to be remembered for?

Think about your own life. Is there someone who has been a part of your life whose legacy has made all the difference? Maybe it was your dad or mom. Maybe it was another relative. Perhaps you had a good friend whose investment in your life made a wonderful difference.

The other day I was talking with a friend who is also a grandfather. This man has been spending one day per week with his grandchildren for a number of years. He said:

I am tired of the contemporary view of grandparenting which amounts to little more than play with the grandchildren, spoil them, and then give them back to their parents. I am about ministry. I spend this time every week with these young grandchildren because there is a legacy that I want to leave with them. I want to help shape their lives and pass on some values that have been important in my life. That is my ministry.

I think he is right on target. Now here are a few things I want to pass on:

I want to pass on Jesus. Not just Jesus preached (I obviously believe that is pretty important). I want to pass on Jesus demonstrated.

I want to pass on to my wife the legacy of a man who took his commitments seriously. I want her to remember that she could trust me.

I want my children to remember that their dad was faithful to their family.

I want to pass on to my children the importance of treating people right--no matter who they are. No matter how wealthy or how poor.

I want them to remember the importance of paying debts, keeping promises, and being genuinely interested in people.

I want to pass on to my children the special place of the Word of God in their lives. I want them to know that they can have confidence in Scripture as it points them to God, revealing His will and desires for their lives.

I want to pass on to the churches that I served the importance of personal integrity and having a passion for God.

What about you? What do you wish to pass on?

Back to Contents Does God Exist?, JanFeb07.