My Legacy
Dear Friends,
I was recently reminded of how fragile life is—that it can be stripped from us in the blink of an eye. This caught me off guard and caused my mind to spiral in a zillion different directions. As I pondered what this knowledge meant to me, that we are not guaranteed another day or another breath, I started to consider how I was living my life and what legacy, if any, I was leaving behind? What would my loved ones and peers remember me for and did this align with what l most wanted to be remembered about me?
These are some pretty hefty thoughts that besieged me and I could not shake them. I was rattled to my core and metaphorically frozen in place. So I did the only thing I could think to do in this moment, I poured my heart out to Jesus and attempted to answer these questions as truthfully as I could for myself.
“Jesus,” I asked, “what legacy do I want to leave behind? And Lord, am I living a life that reflects this legacy?”
Very quickly, I knew the answer to the first question. I want to be remembered for my faith in Jesus. When my family and friends look back on my life one day, I want them to recognize that I walked hand in hand with my Lord and Savior through all of the curve balls I faced and the beautiful dreams I was blessed to realize, and that I lived my faith with every breath I took. I want my legacy to be a testament of Jesus’ miraculous love for us.
With this in mind, I then looked at my life and wondered if my actions—if the life I am actually living—reflects the legacy I want to leave behind.
And if I am being honest with myself, I’m not sure it is. Admitting this takes my breath away and leaves me with out words. It’s humbling to realize this, but also necessary. In order for me to change, in order for me to live a life that reflects the miraculous love of Jesus, I must fix what doesn’t reflect His love. I must weed out the behaviors that detract from this message; things like living in anxiety, negativity, complaining, gossiping, and jealousy, or being afraid to fully live my faith for fear of what others might think. My actions carry a stronger message to those around me than the words I utter from mouth. I must live the message I want others to hear and see. Matthew 5:16 states, “Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
So my friends, I am on that right path to living a life that reflects Jesus’ love for us, but there is work to be done—behaviors that I must modify and improve with in my life. Jesus promises that “He who began a good work in [me], will be faithful to complete it” (Philippians 1:6). Thus, it is my prayer that Jesus will guide my actions and will transform my life to be a testament for Him and that my loved ones will see His light shine from the life I live—that His love for us will be the legacy I leave behind.
Life is not guaranteed and can be gone in an instant. When that moment comes for you, what legacy will you leave behind? What will you be remembered for?
Your friend in Christ,
Heather