Legacy
I've been thinking a lot about this word lately. What do I want to be remembered for? It is directive towards what one should live for. If we know how we want to be remembered, then that leads us on our paths in life. If we want to be remembered for being a great philanthropist, we will work hard to give it all away. If we want to be known for exceptional athleticism, we train hard every day. If we want to give our legacy to our children, we focus on what will bless them in the future—opportunities, money, life, love.
Most of the definitions I found of legacy involve money and wills. The other main one was “anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.”
Anything. So a legacy then could be good or bad. Could involve blessings or curses. Could positively impact people's lives or negatively tear them apart.
Another word I've been thinking about is inheritance. What of my life will I leave for the next generation? How do I make it count?
Something worth inheriting.
A legacy worth leaving.
I've decided I want to leave a legacy of generosity. For giving as much as possible whenever possible.
A legacy of grace. Walking in love and forgiveness, not holding onto bitterness or offense, but accepting people where they are at. Saying yes and amen to their process and slowly pushing them into the greatness Papa has for them. And a legacy of joy. I want more often than not to be the most positive, encouraging person people interact with on a daily basis. I want them to experience the presence of God from the joy I carry within me.
I've really been enjoying Josh Garrels' Farther Along. I feel like the lyrics say what I want to say in this better than I can.
So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright
Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on
Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me
And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the son of god is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon
Listen to the whole song here.
There are some scrambled thoughts on legacy. I've been thinking about it a lot. We know we are not guaranteed anything and yet I find myself living like tomorrow is certain and so it can wait til tomorrow. Sometimes things can, but sometimes they can't. I want to be a person worth following as I follow Christ, and I want to live a legacy worth leaving. I want my ceiling to be my kids' floor, that they go farther and further and deeper than I could even dream of.
