Leaving A Legacy

The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. -  1 Chronicles 6:1-3

If you have read Kings or Chronicles in the Bible, you know that there are many names listed. Generational succession. And every now and again you come across names that you are familiar with like Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. But what about all of those other people? Was their existence just like the proverbial "hand in a bucket of water"? While the hand is in the water its presence is obvious. The hand displaces water, but when the hand is removed from the water and the ripples on the water subside, you would never know that the hand had been there.  

When you see a name on a building or street sign have you ever wondered about the person who bore that name? The street or the building was most likely named after them to honor them. But I suspect before that generation had passed - or most certainly by the next generation - the person was forgotten and their name was just a name on a sign. Of course, there are a few in history where their names and contributions to society are still remembered. They may be famous or infamous - but remembered, all the same. What is said about a woman in Proverbs can also be said for a man.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. - Proverbs 31:30

Our current president is wanting to make a visible mark, I think, so he will be remembered.  But, I suspect that like Gershon, Kohath, and Merari - it will not be much beyond this generation that people  will wonder, and then if only for a moment, "Who is that?" As Christians, I think that it is more important that the legacy we leave is not one of personal notoriety and temporal changes that can be upended as quickly as they were accomplished, but with changes that are eternal. 

Mankind, but our culture, in particular, is consumed with self-indulgence. With appearances. What the outside looks like. And from that, people draw conclusions about what the heart and character of that person are like. How disappointing to discover that the people we have put on pedestals of honor are found to have feet of clay - just like everyone else. And they too will be forgotten by the next generation.

So about that Legacy. Well - I think that the best legacy I can leave is that God is remembered and honored in the next generation. The thing is, in my experience, you may not know you have left a godly impression on the life of someone else. To be remembered - not because people saw me - but because people saw Jesus in me. The legacy I am referring to is not painted on a street sign or etched on the side of a building - but embedded in the hearts of others. A legacy of faith in God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone