The Legacy

How do you approach life? Do you simply move about aimlessly without a plan on the hope that fortune will find you? Are you a planner, chained to your schedule without a moment to spare? 

How do you spend your free time? Do you surround yourself with those who can elevate you to the next level? Are you out moving from one great activity to the next? Where does your deepest passion lie? Whose hearts do you impress yourself upon? 

I had the honor of attending the 60th wedding anniversary celebration for a couple my husband and I hold very close to our hearts. It was a wonderful event with sharing from the individuals whose lives this couple impacted, live musical performances and a great meal. 

As I sat there listening to everyone share about this couple, I glanced around the room and saw a sea of smiling faces, glowing with genuine love. Later as we adjourned to the dining area I again surveyed the room. There were about 200 people in attendance and it truly touched my heart. 

You see, not only did this couple have a huge impact on my husband and I but on the lives of so many other people, who will in turn use some of what they were given to impact the lives of others and so forth; a living picture of a lasting legacy.

What about you? You see, we all, even without effort, leave a legacy behind. The question is what type of legacy will you leave?

I know you may say in today’s society, you do not have time to worry about a legacy; you need to make sure today is taken care of. I can appreciate this, but my question to you is what about those you interact with on a daily basis, your family, and the people you may lead (at work, at church, on your kids sporting teams) and those you pass along the way.

There are three areas I would like to touch upon; family, work and outreach:

Family

Proverbs 13:22 says “A good person leaves behind an inheritance for their children’s children.”

• How will your family remember you?
• Will they be thankful for the wealth and possessions you leave behind?
• Will they recall with fond memories the times you shared?
• When your children’s children speak of you what will be said?

Work

Daniel 12:3 reads “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars for ever and ever.”

• How is your leadership?
• Not necessarily at work, but in your extracurricular activities, it could be leading your child’s sporting team, or teaching in your local children’s ministry.
• What legacy will your leadership leave behind?

Mentoring

Titus 2:3-5: “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

• Do you have someone in your life that you are helping to guide? Someone outside of your immediate family?
• The scriptures say the older women should teach the younger women.
• What impact is your life having on the youth you encounter?
• It does not have to be a formal mentoring program, but what about those you pass along the way?
• What examples can those you interact with take from your life that will enhance their own?

There is a quote by Tavis Smiley from the book, The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates that reads “The choices we make about the lives we live determine the kinds of legacies we leave.”

What type of legacy are your choices building?

Remember, God is a God of grace and each new day provides us with the opportunity to begin again. Choose God and may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!!!

To learn more about Dr. Crystal and the services she provides, visit www.drcrystal.weebly.com.