Seasons of Our Faith Day 5 – Legacy of Faith
by Maddie and Ruth McDonald
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Seasons are such a gift, really. With them, we experience change and growth. We find refreshment from a shift of temperatures—much needed relief from extreme cold or hot. We feel challenged in some, and others may leave us feeling too comfortable. Whatever season you may be in, God has a very specific purpose for you. We may prefer one season over another when it comes to our climate, but each is necessary for the earth to sustain its precise workings—orchestrated by the Creator of the Universe.
Winter will come for all of us—some much sooner than others—and then we finish our race and pass into eternity. If we are believers in Christ, we will be at rest with Jesus, awaiting His return to call us to Him; then we will live out our eternal purpose as His redeemed bride. Scripture tells us that “the dead in Christ will rise first … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). But when we leave this earth, we leave something very valuable behind—our legacy.
What do you imagine those who come to your funeral will have to say about you? What words might they use to describe your life? How about the people who know you best, like your kids and grandkids? Will they describe you with words that would give you joy, or would they describe you with words that would bring shame or embarrassment? These words that will be said about you are part of the legacy you’ll have left behind.
Since you are alive to read this, you still have time to further develop your legacy—for the better. Some wonderful words we may like to be known by include these: Faithful, Encouraging, Wise, Kind, Generous, Loving, Gentle, Humble, Compassionate, Godly, Loyal, Trustworthy, Helpful, Friendly. Some not-so-wonderful words may include: Stingy, Unkind, Impatient, Proud, Temperamental, Grumpy, Rude, Sarcastic.
When you die, no one will applaud you for having the best of everything, for spending countless hours at the office, or for being self-indulgent. But people will applaud any attributes you share with our Savior. The more we are like Him, the more attractive we are in all that matters. People are drawn to those who exemplify the kindness and loving care of Jesus. People will remember those who lovingly shared the gospel with everyone they met and lived it out for all to see.
How we run our earthly race will not only leave a legacy for those who know us here, but it is also linked to our reward in Heaven. God notices how we live and how we are known by others. He cares about the testimony we develop throughout our lives and how that testimony impacts others, specifically because it bears His name. When we think of how serious this is—that we bear His name in our words and behavior—we should consider how we portray that Name. Is it pleasing or displeasing to God? May each of us live in such a way as to be well spoken of by those we leave behind. A godly legacy that brings honor to Christ our Lord is such an important parting gift.
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:4, ESV)
