What Legacy Will You Leave?

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." ~2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Recently, due to circumstances in my life and the lives of those around me, I have become keenly aware of how short life on this earth is.  This thought had been pestering me for several months and then I asked God, why this was such an important thought and why it had been plaguing me?  His answer was very clear, "Life on earth may be short but the legacy you leave behind can span for years, decades, or millenniums!"  It made complete sense at that moment, the cause behind this lingering thought was how will I be represented when I am gone and will my life boast of Him, and draw others unto Him?!?!

I cannot even begin to imagine what life on this earth would be like without God! How is it that so many go everyday without believing in Him or hearing His voice.  I know that I want some of His light to be shined on everyone I come in contact with, that is the legacy I want to leave behind.  Like 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, I want to fix my eyes on eternity with him and not the insignificant things that  I see day to day which are temporary.  

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV) The Lord has ordained my steps and each single day of my life.  He planned me before I was even conceived in my mother's womb and he knows how many hairs I have on my head (Psalm 139:13,15-16).  I am here to bring glory and honor to His name!  Would I be able to say that the decision I made yesterday or the words that come out of my mouth tomorrow are all for His glory?  Have I done all I can for the Glory of God?  No matter what the circumstances, miniscule or enormous, can I go on and say, "Bless the Lord, ALL my SOUL, He gives and He takes away, He will never leave me or forsake me," and these statements be truthful?

As these thoughts are running through my head, I stopped to reflect on them.  1 Corinthians 16:14 says, "Do everything in love." So I stop, and I refocus, and rethink...hmmm...is this being done in love?  If I don't get my way, and I going to react in spite or in love?  Are these choices I am making glorifying God and building a great legacy about Him, through me?

Of course this has become a daily refocusing activity for me.  I am constantly stopping, taking a breath, and thinking if Jesus came tomorrow - how would these minutes play out in eternity?  Grumbling about my job, gossiping about a co-worker, or giving one of my students the stank eye because they upset me is not going to build me up, its going to tear Him down, and there goes a legacy moment where I could of responded and done something in love.  

I want to leave this earth and hope that I have somehow touched everyone's heart that I have come in contact with, in some tiny way.  Even if they feel His love through a simple smile - it is well worth it! Though I mess up (frequently), His grace is sufficient, it covers me, and that I have made a difference somewhere in this huge world.  No matter if my life plays out the way I thought it would or wanted it too.

Lets Pray:
Papa, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (~Psalm 139:14).  Thank you for everything that you have given me, for your unending forgiveness and love, and your grace that covers me.  Help me to leave a lasting legacy of Your love to each individual I come in contact with and remind me to walk my days out in love.  Help me to keep focus on the unseen things that will matter in eternity.  When I walk into your courts Lord, I want to hear You say, "Well done my good and faithful servant!"  I choose to walk in love no matter what my earthly circumstances may bring!
In Jesus's Mighty Name,
Amen