Intentionality

I had a couple of conversations this week about leaving a legacy. Over the years, Darrell and I have often talked about our family legacy or inheritance and what that might look like after we are gone. We try to balance between feeling the need to leave the children some monetary or physical treasures with feeling responsible to sow the Word of God in their lives with truth, morals and values by which to live by. I would add that we want our children to know that they are a gift from God, are valuable to Him and loved by us.
 
 Can we agree, that at some level, everyone leaves a legacy whether it is intentional or happenstance? I believe a person is remembered not so much by what they say as to what they do; actions speak louder than words.  A parent might tell their child that they love them but their actions may be harsh and uncaring. They may fall short of demonstrating love or at the very worst they may have created a “warped” sense of the meaning of love. I have seen too many people die alone in the hospital even having been given the opportunity for hospital personnel to call whoever they would care to have at bedside. The answers were all too similar…… “ I am not close to my family…. My kids have nothing to do with me….. I have been estranged from my kids for years……No, I don’t want any of my family to know where I am…..”  Whether intentional or a causality of broken relationships, there was a legacy left for that family. That legacy was created over time and will stick in the minds of the family members left behind.
 
We have been exposed to famous people all of our lives for their contribution to the “betterment” of the human race. Not sure if famous people throughout the years really thought about the legacy they would be credited for by the world.  Was Elvis Presley intentionally working toward being the King of Rock and Roll? What about Mother Teresa? She was a devote Roman Catholic nun and founder of Missionaries of Charity, who spent her life in India selflessly caring for the lepers, homeless and the dying in the slums? Who knows if Mother Teresa ever thought she would receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for being a humble and caring woman that shaped some many lives. Maria Curie’s discovery of two new chemicals, radium and polonium, led her to use the knowledge in carrying out the first research in treating tumors with radiation.  Ms. Curie was the first woman to earn a Nobel Prize. Did Ms. Curie have any idea of the significance of her discovery or the amount of people who would benefit from her actions? It would have been impossible for her to have known the magnitude of her discovery.  In 1963, did Martin Luther King ever anticipate that his “ I Have a Dream” speech would be deemed as the greatest speech in history?  Who knows, but the impact has been tremendous.
 
In the Bible, we can look at several legacies of people. Even though these people were imperfect and committed sins, their actions left a legacy. In 1 Samuel 13:14, the prophet Samuel informs King Saul of his replacement, David “14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” Look at the Psalms.  David penned many of these chapter expressing his devotion, dependency, and need of God. David’s shepherd and rock in which he anchored was God.  
 
Solomon is noted to have a legacy of wisdom.  In 1 Kings 3:10-15 (ERV)
“The Lord was happy that Solomon asked for wisdom. So God said to him, You did not ask for long life and riches for yourself. You did not ask for the death of your enemies. You asked for the wisdom to listen and make the right decisions. So I will give you what you asked for. I will make you wise and intelligent. I will make you wiser than anyone who ever lived or ever will live. And I will also give you what you did not ask for. You will have riches and honor all your life. There will be no other king in the world as great as you. And I will give you a long life if you follow me and obey my laws and commands as your father David did. Solomon woke up and knew that God had spoken to him in the dream. Then Solomon went to Jerusalem and stood before the Box of the LORD’s Agreement. He offered a burnt offering and fellowship offerings to the Lord and then gave a party for all of his officials.” Solomon was the author of some of the chapters in Proverbs, sometimes referred to as the wisdom book.
 
There are so many people who have left legacies for us in scripture but I conclude with the Hall of Faith…Hebrews 11. Spend some time reading of those individuals who left a legacy of faith, an example to all of us.
 
I think, as we consider our actions and what we deem as important in leaving a legacy, assuming we are giving any thought to it, consider what scripture says would be valuable.  
 
In Luke 12:15, “Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possession.”
 
 Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”
 
Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.
 
Proverbs 20:21, “An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end”
 
We did not even touch the unbelievable inheritance we have been given through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  God our Father is such a loving Father that He planned the best for His children.
 
I would challenge each of you to consider what legacy or inheritance you are in the midst of developing right now.  While money or possessions can be a blessing (only when guarding greed) it may not be possible for many of us.  But I can assure you, we all can leave a greater legacy of character, love, truth of scripture, a model of a life surrendered to God, and a purposeful life in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  These are doable tasks for all of us but are tasks of intentionality.

Blessings,
Karen
 
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