Legacy Part I–Strong And Courageous!

May 30, 2024

Legacy Part I—Strong And Courageous!

“Your legacy is the kind of people you leave behind.”    

These words were written by a friend in a card given to me at the time of my retirement.  As I read the words again last month, I was reminded of what is most important in family and among friends.  The words were also a reminder of what is most important at work, on the field, and in our service with the poor; i.e., in all of life!

As I anticipated the first day of retirement almost two years ago, I was invited to look back over a 40+ year career.  As I reflected on my career from the perspective of retirement, I was able to see some of the people in whom God made a difference by using me. 

I was able to celebrate some of the changed lives God chose to touch through me.  I was able to cherish some of the miracles God did in people’s lives by using me as a catalyst for change.  I was able to treasure some of the friendships to which God gave birth while working in me and through me to bring transformation to another person.

All of those memories are good; I give God the glory!  However, today I find myself wondering what kind of legacy I am leaving in the lives of people after I retired.  With a great deal of prayer and time spent in conversation with other believers, I am beginning to discern that although the things I do each day have changed significantly, the kind of legacy I want to leave behind me has remained very much the same.

“Your legacy is the kind of people you leave behind.”   

It is the Lord God who uses you and me to leave a lasting legacy.  It is the Holy Spirit’s power at work, it is the love of Jesus effecting change, and it is the mercy of our Heavenly Father creating environments that makes possible anything that will last beyond my last breath.

I am reminded of words from the Psalmist.  In Psalm 127:1-2 we hear; “Without the help of the Lord it is useless to build a home or to guard a city.  It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living.  God takes care of his own, even while they sleep.”

Anything that really matters, anything that is really worthwhile, anything that really has lasting value is not because of my efforts but because the Lord God chooses to use me in a way that makes a difference for another person(s). 

The Psalmist reminds us; “Without the help of the Lord it (most of what is important!) is useless…”  It is important to give credit and glory where credit and glory are due; i.e., Jesus!  It is the Lord working in and through us that makes it possible to leave a legacy of changed lives that makes God smile.

There are some things I pray Jesus uses me to leave in the lives of other people.  I would like to engage in a series of posts that focus upon the things I would like to leave as my legacy. 

I want to leave a legacy of people who are strong and courageous.

Strength and courage are often refined in the fire of adversity and challenge.  The ability to stand firm when things are falling apart is not something with which we are born.  The ability to be bold when things are overwhelming is not something we learn by reading a book.  The ability to take the next big step when things are uncertain is not something that is easy.

Strength and courage are often refined in the fire of adversity and challenge.  Joshua is a great example.  Joshua was the right hand person and second in charge to Moses.  The journey to the Promised Land had been difficult for all kinds of reasons.  The good news is the Israelite people are able to continue that journey because of the leadership and faith of Moses. 

However, just when the Promised Land is in sight (after a 40 year trip!) Moses dies.  As the Israelite people focus on the uncertainty of their future, the Lord God calls Joshua to be their new leader.  More specifically, the Lord God wants Joshua to lead the Israelite people into the Promises Land. 

However, Joshua wants nothing to do with the job.  He knows how difficult the Israelite people have been; they are always stubborn, continually criticizing, and often lacking faith in God.  Joshua knows the job of leading the Israelite people into the Promised Land will be often difficult and challenging.

The Lord God notices Joshua’s hesitation.  For Joshua, the challenge is too great and the adversity too severe.  Joshua would rather stay in the background like he had done when Moses was the leader rather than stand in front and risk everything.  Joshua felt weak, inadequate, and unprepared as well as afraid, apprehensive, and anxious.

The Lord God knows strength and courage are often refined in the fire of adversity and challenge.  The Lord God calls Joshua to be more than he is; Joshua is called to be strong and courageous!  In Joshua 1:6 we hear the Lord God say; “Be strong and courageous, for you shall lead this people to possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them.”

But, just because another person or even Jesus tells me to be strong or to have courage those words are often not quite enough.  Sometimes I need the nudge of the Holy Spirit to push me in a particular direction. 

Just in case Joshua does not get the message, the Lord God repeats the call three times.  Sometimes I, too, need to hear the call to be strong and courageous more than once. 

It is interesting that the third message comes in the form of a commandment from God.  I need the call to be strong and courageous to be more than a suggestion or recommendation.  I need Jesus to tell me in no uncertain terms! 

The Lord God adds a promise to the commandment to be strong and courageous.  In Joshua 1:9 the Lord says to Joshua; “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua can be strong and courageous in the midst of adversity and challenge when he chooses to believe the Lord God is with him wherever he goes.  Joshua learns that it is often in the crucible of adversity and challenge that we become more and more dependent upon the Lord as well as grow stronger and more courageous through our faith in the Lord.

I hope I can leave a legacy of people who are strong and courageous no matter how severe the adversity or how difficult the challenge they are facing.  I pray I can leave a legacy of people who are so confident and so convinced Jesus is with them wherever they go that they can be strong and courageous when life is easy as well as when life is difficult.

At the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul writes a final word of encouragement to a church that is struggling with many issues.  In I Corinthians 16:13 Paul writes; “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 

Paul encourages the people in Corinth (i.e., people who are faced with adversity and challenge) to;

…be alert to the presence and power of Jesus in their midst.

…trust in the Lord even when everything around them says faith is not enough.

…be strong and courageous in the midst of adversity and challenge.

When we encourage others to trust the Lord is always with them, they can live and serve as people who are strong and courageous.  When that happens, our lives and their lives will be filled with more and more delight in the Lord. 

Encourage someone today with a Word from the Lord God.  Tell them Jesus wants them to be strong and courageous!  Remember what a friend told me,

“Your legacy is the kind of people you leave behind.”   

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug