Legacy Series: People (What Really Matters?)

So what's the point of all this? Why would anyone care to look far enough ahead to see what type of legacy they might leave? If we're led by the belief that we have no control over "the outcome," and that everything we do will eventually be forgotten (the book "Ecclesiastes" is very strongly tied to this theme) then why bother paying any attention at all? This train of thought is one that appears in more than just thoughts of existential matter; many of us, subconsciously, at least, take on this train of thinking when we're given the option of a few extra minutes in bed, it's the temptation of "just one more." Just one more episode, or game, or drink, or cookie, or inappropriate joke, or day off, or whatever else it may be. It's all too easy to put our priorities aside when we lose sight of the bigger picture. This world is bigger than you; remember your "why."

What I mean is this: We can make all the excuses in the world to pull ourselves out of the responsibilities we've been given, but ignoring what matters today is not conducive to a better tomorrow—not in the slightest. There is a whole network of people—present and future—depending on you right now. God will get along fine without you. He'd rather not be without you (that's why He sent His son, the one man deserving of life, to die in our place), but He doesn't need any of us in order to accomplish His will. The people in our lives, and those that will be in our lives, however, desperately need you to be well and focused; that is what I've been getting at with this series. Let's break it down.

The Greatest Commandment

"'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'" (Matthew 22:36-40).

For the Christian, at least, there is a laundry list of commandments that we're told to adhere to throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Which of them to adhere to and which of them don't apply will likely be debated for centuries to come, but I reckon there are at least two commandments that we can stand firm on: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. We're told in Romans that love is all it takes to fulfill the Law (Romans 13:8-10). What this means for us is that everything we do (as Christ proclaiming individuals) is to be an act of love toward God and toward those around us. After God, it's all about the people. So love them well, present and future, by managing your time so you can get that cup of coffee or get in the Word and in prayer. Create habits that show yourself that you care about yourself, and see those around be affected. Dare to think further than 5 years in the future. Remember the bigger picture.

The Great Commission

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:16-20).

There's another commandment that is presently being commanded of every believer in Christ: it's outlined above. This isn't a part-time mission that we're being called to; this is how we're called to live our lives. This is all the time. Not everyone is called to change countries and cultures, but each of us is called to be good representatives of Christ on the daily, calling others to do the same, and teaching others to do so well. At this point, we've discovered and addressed the important issues as they pertain to ourselves, but we can't forget that we're called to more than personal growth or success; all of that is done for the well-being of the people around us and beyond. Jesus Christ died for us. He took the punishment we deserved, not so that we'd just sit in the beauty of that reality, but that we'd bring that reality to a world that doesn't know it. Remember the bigger picture.

You Actions Shape Your Legacy

I want to be remembered, among those who will have known me, as an upright man of God. I believe that this is an aim that many of us believers might share (man or woman), and it's a good one to have, but what are we living in now that might hinder our progress toward that goal (or any other you might have)? Our legacies are being actively shaped by every decision that we make right now. When is the last time you read your Bible? The last time you prayed with all your heart? When's the last time you thought of or talked about Jesus (even just among those closest to you)? These types of questions ought to be asked often and answered honestly if we are to leave legacies that glorify the Father.

Don't read this and thing legalist. If this challenges you, then maybe you ought to be doing things differently. There are certain things that simply have to happen, and for all you know, you might be running out of time to make them happen. I'm a firm believer that each of us has both a common purpose and a unique roadmap to get there. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). Carrying this out will look different for each and everyone of us, but carry it out we must. At the end of the day, regardless of what legacy you think you are leaving, there is a will that greater than any of ours combined. God's plans are bigger than you. We can't possibly dream as big as He does, we don't have the world in the palm of our hands as He does, but we can certainly look to those around us and find ways to love them better. I've offered this reminder in every segment before, and here it is once more: this is a discovery more so than a creation or manifestation of legacy. God created each of us for a specific purpose, He knows what we're meant to leave behind; so if you gain nothing else from this series, remember that fact and place your trust in God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Be blessed, seek wisdom, and enjoy.

---

Verses to Look Back On:

Matthew 22:36-40

Matthew 28:16-20

Mark 12:30

Romans 13:8-10