Some of my newest friends and I are beginning the World Race. For some of us, years have passed, many months have passed, and countless weeks and days have gone by in anticipation for this new beginning. We will leave to begin on what words can only inadequately describe as a journey, and many believe this is our purpose, our calling.
This is yet again in my life one more lesson in learning to “leave well.” I’ve learned over the last few years that living well is usually accompanied by the ability to leave well. You’ve heard the adage, “You live and you learn,” but my life has added to that saying. You live, you learn, and then you leave. Recognizing that you should leave and deciding when to leave are minor details in the whole process.
Here’s a few ideas I’ve noticed during my leaving. When you leave, there’s usually something that pushes you to leave. There’s also something that pulls you to leave. Then you have something you leave behind when you go. Sometimes that thing you leave behind is described as your legacy. The push, the pull, and what is left—the legacy.
In my case, there’s ONE thing that fits the mold for all three of those things—my friends. They have been some of the greatest encouragers to take the journey we are about to begin. My friends have also been the ones who pulled me toward greater community with each of them and have drawn me into closer relationship with our Savior. They are also the fellas and lady-fellas that remain in my normal place while I’m gone. They have influenced my life, and I hope to have encouraged them with intentionality and purpose.
Friends, you have changed my life. You make it easy to leave. It is not easy to leave you, but you have made it easy to follow a God-calling on my life. Here’s a picture of several of them.
Check this out. Our church recently finished a series about legacy. Before I left, a buddy of mine kept talking to me about the legacy I’m leaving. Then, the last day of launch we were paired with someone on our team and told to look intently into their eyes and listen for a single word from God for them. I tried listening and shared what I thought I heard. After that, it was my teammate’s turn to share with me. My teammate looked at me without any knowledge of the things I just mentioned and said, “I do not know how to say it exactly, but there’s really just one word that God keeps bringing to mind… Legacy.”
I’m believing.
Be leaving.
Please read and pray Hebrews 13:15-19
