At some point, we must realize that we do not live forever. What will we be remembered for, what will we leave behind, and will we have made a difference? These are hard questions to think about and even harder to answer. A legacy does not necessarily mean you have died. Sometimes, leaving a job, changing schools, or moving to a new church can be seen as leaving a legacy. Legacy is sometimes how people look at you, think about you, and consider your worth. Legacy is what you leave behind when you are no longer where you have been.
Consider several areas when considering your legacy. Have you developed a family value that the next generation will follow? Have you created a strong and proud branch on the family tree? Proverbs 13:22 states, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” We all want our family to appreciate us. While trying to make our families content, we should also try to improve our surroundings. Have we done something for others that has positively affected them? Participation in community, church, or some organization to benefit others builds a legacy that only others will know of. We have all had someone like a Little League coach that we remember, and it is reasonable to think he long forgot about us. But we remember him, which is his unknown legacy. Colossians 3:16 reminds us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” We often create memories for those who listen when we share our story. Part of the legacy building is allowing others to learn from our experience. Sharing an experience can cause a ripple effect that may influence someone else’s decision years from now.
We often take for granted the time we spend with family and friends. As we age, we start thinking about times long past, conversations that have been forgotten for many years. Suddenly, the events and words have a new meaning and importance. We can see the people and the surroundings plainly and realize that something so simple years ago is now the foundation for profound and essential decisions. These were legacy-building events that we did not think were important then. We did not know it then, but we were being trained as described in Proverbs 22:6, which states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Do we ever know how much influence we have on the people we encounter during our daily routine and on how we conduct ourselves? Several years ago, scientists came up with the “butterfly effect.” In the 1960’s Edward Lorenz found that a minimal change in creating a weather model would cause considerable changes in the outcome prediction The butterfly effect refers to the idea that a small event, such as a butterfly flapping its wings, can set off a chain of events that can lead to significant consequences, such as a tornado occurring weeks later in a different part of the world. The simple act of opening a door or giving a kind word to a stranger may have huge effects on that person or someone that person encounters later in the day. We are building our legacy and do not even know it.
When we think of our legacy, we usually think of what we will physically leave to our family. Their inheritance is the legacy we most often think of. As discussed earlier, we are fortunate that our legacy is not totally based on money and things of value. In 2016, the credit bureau Experian found that almost 75% of Americans had over sixty thousand dollars in debt when they died—not something our families would want to inherit. Gary Vaynerchul, Entrepreneur, Business Futurist, and Angel Investor, says it best: “Please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” Estate planning, managing assets, and being financially responsible should help offset this horror story. Proper investments, insurance policies, and prepaid final expenses are also wise for those who want to leave something to their family and friends. This also gives you great peace of mind. Through His teachings and actions, Jesus stressed the importance of creating a lasting legacy. He encouraged everyone to plan well and be good stewards, as He was with them. Jesus wanted us to live a life that inspires and influences others. By following Jesus and his teachings, we will sow seeds that will bear fruit for our families, which will be a part of our legacy. 1 Chronicles 28:8 King David tells all of Israel how vital a legacy is. This verse states, “Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.” Remember to plan wisely. Every action we take, every word we say, and every action we do is building our legacy. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”