My wife’s grandmother has been in the hospital. She is in
her mid-90’s and, up until her admittance into the hospital, has been going
strong. It has been a heavy load on the family, but it has been a wonderful
experience to see the family pulling together to care and nurture a woman who
has cared and nurtured all of them for so many years.
Her grandmother is a wonderful woman and a testimony of
faith and perseverance. Every time you enter her home you are offered something
to eat or drink. She does not want to sit down and strives to serve everyone
who comes through her door. She is a wonderful example of a servant.
Her nephew came into visit her yesterday and said a
beautiful prayer over her which included these words: “Lord God, bless your
servant. She has cared for so many and has shown your love. Continue to give
her your love and care.”
Her legacy is that of a strong woman who has loved and cared
for so many, whether they were family or not.
My thoughts raced and I asked myself, “How can I leave a
legacy like that?”
I turned to Proverbs and re-discovered powerful verses in
chapter 21 that answered my question:
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
Will find life, righteousness, and honor.”-Proverbs 21:21(ESV)
Then, I looked further and found in the first verse of
chapter 22:
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
And favor is better than silver or gold.”(ESV)
King Solomon in his wisdom shared the two key elements of
leaving a lasting legacy in the world:
1) PURSUE
RIGHTEOUSNESS: As we go through life
what we pursue is what we will be known for. If we pursue riches and power,
that is what we will leave as a mark in the world. People will recognize our
business savvy and our workaholic nature. Yet, when we “pursue righteousness” (striving for what is morally right under God), we are aiming to live a life that is
justifiable and held without judgment. We might not be sinless, but we are
striving to do what is right in all circumstances. It might not always be the
easiest decision or most popular, but it is what is right. People will remember
our convictions and our ability to put our own desires aside while seeking to
fulfill the desires of our Creator.
And
2) PURSUE KINDNESS:
Our good name comes from our service. When our eyes are open to the needs
of others, we will rise to the occasion and serve them the best way we know
how. We will give in our excess. We will give when we don’t have much. We will
walk with people who are left alone. We will step into the lives of the broken
and lost. We will shine brightly in a dark world due to our ability to show
kindness to people who do not expect it. We should speak of Jesus regularly,
but our actions should undoubtedly be those of a follower of Jesus. When we are
willing to give up our spot in line, step out of our house to help our elderly
neighbor, give someone a gift who needs a smile, or something that pulls us out
of our self-absorption, then we are pursuing kindness and our hand print will be left on someone else's heart for good.
These seem like two easy concepts for us to pursue in order
to leave a lasting legacy in the world. Our mark should be large, especially as
followers of Jesus. The mark we leave is not for our glory, but for Christ’s.
As the first verse in chapter 22 says, “A good name is more important than
riches…”,which means we should strive to be known for who we are more than what
we have.
So, as people speak of us, they should mainly speak of our
righteousness and kindness in light of our faith in Jesus.
May we pursue righteousness and kindness daily. May we leave
a legacy of faith and servanthood in the world. May people know the desire of
our heart was to fulfill the desire of our Creator.
Peace and blessings friends.
Question: What are
you doing today to enhance your legacy?
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