Legacy

Who doesn't want to be remembered after they are gone?

There is something in our human nature that wants validation for our lives and how we lived them.  It's why High School hallways are filled with trophies, yearbooks are filled with notes about how we "will never forget you," and why churches put brass nameplates on everything.  We want to be remembered.

The question is:  Do we do anything WORTHY of being remembered?

Well before we get to that, let's think about the things that get remembered.
--Sports statistics- but really only by guys, and not all of them at that.
--Major historical accomplishments that shape the world- but then, just watch Jay Leno's Jaywalking segments to see even that doesn't hold up.
--Be famous- quick, name the star of the number 1 television show in 1983.  Thought so.
--Invent something-Who invented the electric light?  Nope, not Edison, some dude named Humphry Davy.  Yeah, had to Google that myself.

Okay, so doing important stuff doesn't necessarily leave a legacy.  Now, think of one person who made a difference in your life.  No doubt you have a dozen or so names flash through your mind- that teacher that took an interest in you, that boss who saw your talents and grew them, the person who spoke openly to you about Christ, a parent.  You may not remember Humphry Davy, but you will never forget the people who engaged you in your life.

It's relationships.  These are the things that make legacies.  Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, mentions that Timothy's faith is one of legacy- first in his grandmother, then his mother, then Paul himself.  You are who you are because of a lot of experiences, and because of the people you share them with.

So, the original question- What are you doing in your relationships with others that is worthy of a Legacy?

We celebrate accomplishments and donations- but we don't commemorate the impact people make on us personally with trophies and plaques.  And we shouldn't.  Legacy is passed on not in possessions, but in wisdom, encouragement, love, and so many other hard to calculate things.  The way we know we are the part of the legacy of someone is if they left their mark on us.

For us to leave a legacy, we need to leave a mark.  We need to live lives that matter to people outside of ourselves.  And- in total antithesis to our nature- we need to do it not for our own self aggrandizement, but for the well being of others.

Paul is a great example of this self-sacrificial nature.  In Romans 9, he says he would go to Hell if it meant his fellow Hebrews would accept Christ.  But he also gives us a great picture of a legacy we should all aspire to in Acts 20:25-27

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.  For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 


Paul's legacy was that he told everyone about Christ.  Everyone.  He lived in such a way that people knew who he followed, and he was never shy about proclaiming it.

The fact is- someone shared Christ with you.  Someone prayed for you.  Someone gave you a Bible.  Someone invited you to church one night.  Someone talked with you when you were struggling with doubts and fears and failures and all sorts of other junk.  They gave of themselves to you, so you would make right choices and grow stronger.  You are their legacy.

And that's how you grow yours.