Legacy Part IV–People And Purpose!

June 20, 2024

Legacy Part IV—People And Purpose!

This is the fourth in a series of posts that focus on leaving a legacy in the lives of other people.  My purpose is to share some things I would like to be a part of my legacy.  I share again the words shared with me on the occasion of my retirement two years ago. 

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

Those few words written by a friend in a “Happy Retirement” card have stuck with me.  As I have reflected upon those words recently, it is the connection between the words “legacy” and “people” that captures my attention.

We can think of our legacy being about the number of cattle we gather, the number of acres we farm, or the size of our retirement fund.  We may also think of our legacy being about the amount of influence we have accumulated, the measure of power we have gathered, or the extent of the status we have created.

However, none of these measures of a legacy last very long after we are gone.  I have been wondering, “What if my friend is correct?”  What if my true legacy is the kind of people I leave behind?

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

I am reminded of the story of Abraham and Sarah.  They are people of deep faith in the Lord God.  They are good and moral people who try to do the right thing.  They are people who want to be remembered and celebrated when they are gone.  They want to leave a legacy. 

Abraham and Sarah have livestock, they have land, and they have farmhands.  They have gold and silver, they have friends and neighbors, and they have faith in God.  But, they have no children, no grandchildren, and no great-grandchildren.  They are afraid they will not be remembered; i.e., they are afraid they will have no legacy!

In Genesis 15:2-3 we hear, “But Abram (i.e., Abraham) said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’  And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’”

Abraham is concerned about his legacy.  On the one hand, he possesses many things that the world says will be our legacy.  On the other hand, he believes his true and lasting legacy will be manifest through other people; i.e., his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!

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

When they are in their 90’s, the Lord God makes a promise to Abraham and Sarah.  In Genesis 17:2, 7 the Lord God makes a promise (i.e., covenant) with Abraham.  The Lord says, “…I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous….I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

Abraham and Sarah knew their true and lasting legacy would not be their farm, their livestock, or their wealth.  Instead, they were convinced their true and lasting legacy would be people.  For this reason, it breaks their hearts when they find themselves in their 90’s and do not have any children to be part of their legacy. 

Who will remember Abraham and Sarah?  Who will celebrate the lives of Abraham and Sarah?  Who will become better people because of Abraham and Sarah?  An elderly couple fears there will be no legacy from them and no memory of them.  I remember the words written by a friend.

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

The people we leave behind may be our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The people we leave behind may also be our co-workers and neighbors and friends.  The people we leave behind may also be those we have served and those we have mentored and those with whom we have shared the love of Jesus.  Our legacy is about the kind of people we leave behind.

Several years ago, Cindy and I were walking through a large mall in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Suddenly, I saw a young woman running towards us.  Because my wife was a teacher, I thought the young woman was one of her former students.

I was wrong!  The young woman ran up to me, threw her arms around me, and gave me a big hug.  My wife stood there a bit bewildered and maybe a little concerned.  I was concerned, too, because I did not recognize the young woman.

As quickly as she grabbed hold of my neck she let go, stepped back, and said, “You don’t recognize me do you?” 

When I admitted I did not recognize her, she proceeded to tell me that I had been the director of a church camp for third and fourth graders in the panhandle of Nebraska when she was in the fourth grade.  Obviously, her experience at camp almost 10 years earlier had been something Jesus was still using to impact her life. 

My investment of time, energy, and prayer at a church camp was used by the Holy Spirit to impact the life of a young girl.  Several years later she was still grateful and was still celebrating what Jesus had done in her through my leadership.  A part of my legacy is that young woman’s relationship with Jesus.

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

Whether I am working in my career or am enjoying my retirement, I am convinced my purpose is to leave a legacy of people behind me.  I pray those people are strong and courageous, humble and kind, and faithful and generous.

But, I also remember that leaving a God-honoring legacy is possible only when the Lord God is working in me and through me; I need Jesus’ help to leave a lasting legacy!  I return to the text I shared in the first post in this series on leaving a legacy. 

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.”  I need the Lord’s help if I want to leave a God-honoring legacy in other people’s lives.

The time to start leaving a legacy behind you is today.  I pray you will take the time to reflect on the kind of people you are leaving behind; i.e., your legacy! 

I pray your legacy will honor God the Father, proclaim the love of Jesus, and make room for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of other people.  When those things happen, I pray what you see will bring delight to your heart and to the heart of Jesus.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug