Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he has done.
Your Legacy
Let me write to you as a friend would. I am getting older every day, as we all are, and my time is growing shorter day by day. When I have to leave this world, what will my legacy be? What would be on my gravestone? Would it be a Bible verse? Would it be an attribute? What will be the most vivid memory that I leave behind for my beloved wife, my children, and my grandchildren? What about the church members, my family, and my friends? What will be their strongest memory of me? How many times did my family catch me in prayer? How often did they see me reading my Bible? What things do they remember me doing for Jesus Christ? Would they say that Jesus was most precious to me? I would hope so. What would be read at your eulogy? I know that’s morbid to think about, but we are going to leave a legacy behind, so what would yours be? What would mine be?
Making a Difference
What can we do today that will make a difference for eternity? If you were dragged into court in a foreign land that’s hostile to Christianity, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian, or would they have to dismiss the case for lack of evidence? I think about my own life and wonder about that, too. What is something that you’d like others to remember about you at the end of your life? Would it be that you loved the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5-7)? Would it be that you taught your children and your grandchildren just how great our God is and all the wonderful things He has done (Psalm 78:4)? We are all commanded to teach these things to our children (Deut. 4:9), including those things done in our lifetime. We all have an appointment with death (Heb. 9:27), so right now counts forever. We are building our legacy and how people will remember us after we’re gone, right now as you read this and as I write this.
What Really Matters
Everything in this world is passing away. Only the Word of God will abide forever (Luke 21:33) and those who have placed their trust in Christ (John 3:16). What we do today should make a difference for eternity. Only those things that can’t be shaken will remain (Heb. 12:27). That means those things we do that are not temporary, like the souls we witness to, the cold cup of water we give to someone on a hot day, that person we visit in the hospital, that person in prison to whom we visit or write a letter. Those things done for Christ will remain–they are eternal. All else will on this earth will be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10). Only those things done for the glory of God will remain, and those things we do for Him will likely be the things that others will remember us for at the end of our lives. I would hope it wouldn’t be “wow, he made a lot of money,” “she was a great boss,” or “he sure had a big house.” Those are things that aren’t not important to me. How about you, my friend?
A Closing Prayer
Father, You alone know how much time I have left in this life. Please give me opportunities by opening doors of service for me to do for Your Son’s glory because those things will be all that matter in the end, and in the precious name of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen
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