Living a Legacy: 3 things we can do

Last week we were blessed to have the Rev. Herb Gale from the Presbyterian Church in Canada National office come and speak to us about the blessing of giving gifts.

Next week we will have Phil Hainaut from Youth Unlimited come and talk to us about the work he is doing with the youth in this community.  As I have been thinking and praying about both these individuals and the messages they have and will bring, I am amazed by how similar they are.  Both men are speaking to importance of leaving a legacy.  

You may or may not agree, but I believe that leaving a Godly legacy is one of our purposes as believers.  

In Exodus 20:6 God tells Moses:

“I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.”

What we do now matters, and what we do now affects the generations that come after us.

There is no doubt that we will pass something on to future generations, to our children and children’s children... the question is, what?  Will it be money? Jewels? A building? Maybe, but perhaps the most lasting legacy, is the legacy you live. 

So, here are 3 Ways to Live a Life Worthy of Legacy:

1. Love the Lord with all you Heart! 

Your legacy begins in your heart, and in your relationship with God.  Psalm 112:1-2 reads: "How blessed is one who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed."

People in our lives, especially our children can see who or what we put our faith in.  In good times and bad when we lean on God it is powerful. 

2. Respond to the needs of others with compassion and courage. 

Matthew 9:36 says: "And seeing the multitudes. He [Jesus] felt compassion for them." We can leave a legacy by being committed to doing something about our world. In this culture of general malaise, it is so easy to say, “that’s not my problem,” or “I don’t want to interfere,” or “it’s none of my business” so much so that we end up not taking a stand on anything.  Why?  Are we lazy?  Too polite? Maybe we are afraid?

I was listening to the radio and I heard this great song called Brave.  Check it out.  It’s so great.  While I was listening to it, I wondered if these weren’t the very words that Jesus would say to me:

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I want to see you
I want to see you
I want to see you
I wanna see you be brave

I just want to see you
I just want to see you
I just want to see you
I wanna see you be brave

Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down

By the enemy
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
Don't run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave  (lyrics to part of the song by Sara Bareilles)

If we want to leave a lasting legacy, we need to act with courage to reach out to those in need... and we need to be brave!

3. Pray

 Pray that God will use you to accomplish God’s purposes.

I love the prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10.  Here Jabez cries out, and talk about being brave,  “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” 

What did Jabez ask God to do? Bless him. Give him new turf and enlarge his area of influence. Keep him from temptation. Stay with him.  Pray this prayer with your family, and see how different your lives will be.

Especially For Parents:

Pray for your children!  Ask God to give your child a sense of purpose, direction, and mission. I believe it is the desire of almost every parent to pass on good things to our children because we love them.  

I, personally, want to leave my children with not just an inheritance but a spiritual legacy.  Wasn’t it John W. Whitehead who said, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see”.  I love that quote!

What greater legacy could we possible leave but a living legacy ... the life of Christ in us and through us passed on to others.