Your Legacy

March 12th, 2017

James 4:14; I Corinthians 15:58

Legacy: the inheritance, good or bad, that one generation leaves to another. A legacy is the past’s gift to the present and the present’s gift to the future; it is the inevitable blessing or obstacle we pass to generations to come.

The philosopher William James said, “The great use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” Often, we spend our days poring over textbooks, filling obligations, and meeting demands. We do all the right things for the moment, but we don’t always consider whether we’re leaving a legacy that future generations can cherish.

James asked, “What is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” We have such a brief time to leave our fingerprints on this earth! As good stewards of the time and breath God has given us, we should aspire to leave a beautiful legacy. We should determine that even when the name on our tombstone begins to fade, the impact we made on the world will continue to flourish. We should embrace the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is for the benefit of His master plan.

Pray: Jesus, sometimes I’m guilty of thinking life will go on as it is forever—that I will never grow old, that I will never run out of time. Forgive me when I make a poor use of the life You’ve given me. In the long run, in the scope of eternity, I want my life to matter. Take my hand and guide me down a path that culminates in a powerful legacy for those who come after me.