Reflecting on Our Impact
If you were to pass away today, what would your legacy be? How would people remember you? Would you be recalled as someone who did good deeds or as someone marked by negative actions?
In a figurative sense, a legacy is what is passed down to future generations, a lasting impact that reflects our choices and values.
Positive Legacies in the Bible
The Bible highlights individuals whose legacies continue to inspire, serving as examples of faith and purpose.
The Legacy of Abraham
Abraham, known as the father of faith, left a profound legacy by demonstrating that faithfulness to God results in divine blessings. He teaches us that our faith will be tested, but perseverance keeps us steadfast.
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3, KJV)
God’s blessings did not rest solely on Abraham but extended to his descendants, showing that faithfulness to God benefits not only the individual but also their family.
The Legacy of Job
Job, a model of resilience, had his greatest desire fulfilled by God: that his story be recorded in a book for future generations.
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! (Job 19:23, KJV)
Job teaches us that God gives and takes away, and even in the face of loss, we must remain faithful. His story reveals that adversities have a divine purpose and that dreams aligned with God’s will are fulfilled.
Negative Legacies to Avoid
Not all legacies are worthy of celebration. Some are remembered as warnings to prevent repeating the same mistakes.
The Example of the Rich Man
The rich man, mentioned in the parable of Lazarus, left a negative legacy marked by selfishness. Despite his abundance, he never helped Lazarus, the beggar at his gate, and his indifference led to his condemnation.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38, KJV)
This story reflects a current issue: selfishness. Many people waste resources while others go hungry, underscoring the importance of sharing the blessings we receive.
The Relevance of Legacies Today
Unfortunately, the value of a legacy is often only recognized at funerals, when the importance of an exemplary parent is acknowledged. We must remember that we come into this world with nothing and will leave without material possessions, but our actions endure.
Eternal Legacies
Death offers the opportunity to be remembered for our deeds, whether positive or negative. A remarkable example is the legacy of the Swedish missionaries Gunnar Vingren, Frida Vingren, Daniel Berg, and Sara Berg, who founded the Apostolic Faith Mission in 1911 in Brazil, later known as the Assemblies of God. Arriving in Belém in 1910 from the United States, they spread the gospel and Christian hymns, translated into Portuguese, leaving a global impact that persists today.
Building a Positive Legacy
While we live, we have the opportunity to build a positive legacy in our family, workplace, church, and community. Our actions should inspire future generations, as the examples of Abraham, Job, and the Assemblies of God missionaries do.
As you reflect on your life, ask yourself: how will I be remembered? Will my legacy be marked by the good I have done or by actions I wish to avoid? May your choices today create an eternal impact for the glory of God.
