Are we leaving a legacy?
Maybe I should begin with another question: How do we want to be remembered? What does leaving a legacy entail?
For some, it is fame, fortune, inventions, athletic ability, greatest hits, or movie roles.
But, is it our accomplishments?
I graduated high school 43 years ago – does anyone still stand on their superlatives? Best smile? Most likely to succeed? Most Popular or Athletic?
I didn’t receive any of those, by the way.
This is a question that I’m pondering since Pastor Fohle Lygunda shared his message on the topic of legacy.
John 15:16 says that God desires that we bear fruit that lasts.
That’s legacy.
Pastor Fohle’s message about legacy prompts me to ask:
What fruit am I leaving behind?
And, what changes should I make so my fruit is the kind that lasts?
We could define this as possessing the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), fruit we cannot grow ourselves. But, leaving a legacy is more than that.
Jesus said the two greatest commandments are:
Love God
Love people
So what if legacy has nothing to do with things or achievements? What if our legacy is what we invest in others?
What if #legacy has nothing to do with things or achievements? #FruitThatLasts Share on X
1 Corinthians 13 tells me that:
Love never fails—never ceases—never comes to an end.
Someday our outward expressions like prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease; and without love, our efforts are nothing.
Our deeds become like a noisy gong if love isn’t the reason we do what we do.
They are like the chaff of wheat that will blow away. In other words, fruit that DOESN”T last.
This tells me legacy isn’t wrapped up in what we do or achieve.
Our motive of love helps our fruit remain after the chaff is driven away by the wind.
Granted, our motives are never pure. But I believe we can ask God for His love to be the fuel to our fruit. We will see fruit that lasts because it is invested in people.
God can show us how to leave a legacy as we seek to love as He loves—unconditionally.
The Arms of Love Are Far-Reaching
We live in a huge world filled with needs. We cannot possibly make a dent in every love-less situation. But I think we can respond to the opportunities closest to us, creating a ripple effect. And each ripple of love will bump against and overflow other ripples as we meet the needs of our neighbors.
When we take the time to pass along our faith, hope, and love to those around us, these never fail. Because we are looking at a person face to face, seeing them as God sees them. He loved them enough to die for them. And our actions speak the language of love to them in Jesus name.
When our motive is love, it begins in the best place. Love is the seed of the legacy we leave—the foundation really.
When God said the world would know His people by their love, He meant it. Love is like a beacon to those who are hurting. And when you love, you touch in a way that lasts for eternity.
When you love, you touch in a way that lasts for eternity. #LeavingALegacy #LovingPeople Share on X
I wonder, is this the fragrance we read about in 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, that points to Christ.
Practical Steps to Leaving a Legacy – Producing Fruit that Lasts
Are you looking for opportunities to love and produce fruit that lasts? Ask God to enlarge your territory and give you eyes to see as He sees. We can impact those around us by being the hands and feet of Jesus to a world that is down-a-quart on love.
The smallest action done in love will speak volumes to a hurting heart. So as I assimilate this legacy message into my life, I am asking God to:
Search my heart
Purify my motives
Prune my extra activities to produce more fruit
Help me to follow His lead to impact those around me
And Give me opportunities to love people
Love God and Love People
With His love and purpose, we can make a difference. After all, He calls us to love because He first loved us. So we are simply sharing what we have already been given.
Love is the catalyst. And my English study tells me that love is a verb – an action word. Action speaks louder than words and this draws people to Christ. This is how the world will know we are His people.
#LoveIsAVerb. An Action Word. And action speaks louder than words; this draws people to Christ. #LovePeople Share on X
I am making a list of the things I do – how I spend my time. And, asking whether this is what God wants me to be leaving behind as a legacy.
So, what do you want to be remembered for?
Share your thoughts about leaving a legacy by scrolling down and leaving a comment below.
Share the Love You have Received from God’s Endless Supply
Jeanne
Your love is bigger than any ocean
Your grace deeper than the sea
O Lord my God I want to share
The Love You’ve given me
~ Jeanne Doyon
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