What Legacy will we Leave Behind?

Saints, how do you want to be remembered? Think about that for a moment. When we die, what do we want people to say about us in our eulogy? What will people say about us? Will our legacy be something about our family, our professional work, our hobbies, our friendship, or our generosity?

Will we be known for our self-centeredness? Or some mistake or scandal in our lives? Or will we be remembered for the good we did for others and how we changed the world around us for the better? Or will our legacy be about how we touched the lives of people, or how we lived a comfortable life focused on ourselves and our own people? What is it that we want others to remember about us when we are gone? One day saints when we leave this earth people will turn their attention to us and reflect on our life and what will they remember. What is the legacy that we are trying to leave behind?

If we are concerned about what legacy we will leave behind, to be honest with ourselves, we should reflect on what we are passionate about here and now in our lives. Is our life all about making money and living a comfortable self-centered life? Is our life focused too much on hatred or prejudice or fear towards certain people, what consumes our lives here and now, whatever we are passionate about now will be what forms the legacy we leave behind after we are gone.

"We should reflect on what we are passionate about here and now in our lives. What are you Passionate about?"

Jesus Christ clearly warned all of us “where our treasure is, there our heart will be also… seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. “How many of us can honestly say that the greatest passion and pursuit of our lives is seeking first God’s heavenly kingdom? Seeking first an intimate, loving relationship with our Creator? This should be the most beautiful legacy to strive for and to cultivate each and every day.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 the time of my departure is at hand "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on the day." Paul was proud to highlight that the legacy he thought he was leaving behind was a life of faith. He stayed faithful in the long and difficult race of faith. He faced many extreme challenges. He struggled with temptations. He didn’t live an easy or comfortable life. He could have complained about much that he endured. Yet he completed the race of life faithfully until the end. Paul was happy to note that he had stayed faithful in following God and serving Him until the end of his life.

Saints what a great legacy to leave behind. So, what is the legacy that each of us hopes to leave behind? Saints we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Tim 6:7) Why do so many people get all wrapped up with possessions? Jesus asked, “what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt 16:26) (#legacy #purpose)

What would you gain if you had the whole world? Whatever, it is, it will not endure after the judgment is passed (2 Peter 3:10) When we die, all that we will leave behind will be memories and pictures. Don’t wait till your loved one dies to express your love. Flowers at the graveside will be of no value we can only enjoy giving or receiving them when we are alive. Today some Christians will sell their souls for a few minutes of late sleep, or watch a movie on TV when it’s time to attend service, physically or virtually. The word of God says in 2 Cor 5:8 “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”

#destiny #passion #choosen

"When we die, all that we will leave behind will be memories and pictures."

So how can we as children of God ensure that we make it home with our Heavenly father? The Bible gives us specific guidelines as to what pleases God and what God dislikes. I encourage us that take heed of the word of God and apply every word to our lives to the best of our ability. Let us learn to love more and live each day as if it was our last. When and where ever we are and there’s an opportunity to express our love to others, whether it be by word or deed, let us do it. Let’s not save that favorite dress, or shoes or dishes in our homes for a special occasion, cause tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Saints, I encourage us to continue seeking God and be a doer not just a hearer of God’s word. Should we die, we can take nothing with us, what we will leave behind would be what we have taught others along our journey and helped them strive and survive this cruel world we live in. What we leave behind is who we were, whether we lived a life that others saw Christ in us or whether we were self-seeking. There should be no questions in the mind of others we meet along our journey, Christ's love and character must be displayed in our every word and deed. Others must see the difference in us. After all, we are Christ's ambassadors here on earth until we have accomplished our God’s given purpose in the land of the living. I lost a loved one last week who was a Christian, and I must say he was easy to love, because of his kindness and character and the love he showed to those around him. He was never one who hid his feeling but expressed himself freely. So, too with us, this is an example of how we should be with each other, even though he was young he left behind those qualities or attributes of Christ-like behavior.

God, has a purpose for each of us but we must live a life of holiness and repent of our sins so that we can be who God has called us to be. There will be trials and temptations but God will never give us more than we can bear. Once our heart is in the right place and we put God first place in our life the Holy Spirit will guide us, lead us and teach us all truth.

Saints let us turn our attention back to ourselves and the legacy that we are creating. How will we be remembered? What are we doing now to create a meaningful legacy that will endure throughout history and into eternity? There is only one legacy that will last into eternity and that is a legacy based on love, divine love – love for God and love for our neighbor; love for one another and love even for our enemies and especially for those in need all around us. A legacy of love is not about thinking of ourselves and ignoring the feelings or desires of others, this will be self-centered if we were to only love those who love us, or our family and friends. Instead, a legacy of love that lasts is a love for God that touches and reaches out to every person we encounter in our life’s journey.

Written by: Jo-ann Ramkisson