Leaving a Legacy

Posted by Spencer Dunlap in Ramblings & Musings, Religion, What do you think? on 06 11th, 2009

Leaving a legacy is a topic I have been thinking about, studying about, preaching about, and now writing about lately.  Leaving a legacy behind when we are gone, of course, includes our children, but it goes far beyond that. Leaving a legacy touches those who watch us, and learn from us, and look up to us in some way.

This week, this topic of Leaving a Legacy has taken on new shape for me in “real life” examples. I have looked at my beautiful wife who, as you know, has been facing some real and scary health concerns. She has handled them with such grace and beauty and peace. As I have watched her, I think of the legacy that kind of attitude, in the face of a storm, will leave behind to my children and others watching. That doesn’t mean there won’t be hard days full of fear, doubt, and tears…all of that is normal in a crisis, but watching her I see a Christlike Spirit that will influence generations to come…some of which may never know her directly, but will know others who influence them, who were influenced by her. Connected to Jennifer, but separate from her example, Jennifer’s neurologist, after examining her, laid his hands on her and prayed in Jesus’ name for wisdom to know how to treat her, and for healing for Jen. Praying for the healing of your patients is not good fiscally, but what a legacy that kind of attitude and spirit will leave behind to people who in many cases are seeing him at their worst moment in life.

On the other hand, I have seen Christians do and say things this week that will leave the opposite legacy behind. Face book, as an example, is an amazing tool that I have learned to enjoy on many levels, especially for ministry purposes. But, as with any tool that can be used for good, tools can be used for evil as well. I have read comments and messages from Christians who shared examples of filthy, sexually explicit language and examples of overt worldliness that has made my heart hurt. I wonder how those (hopefully) momentary lapses in judgment will affect the lives of those who are impressionable and watching. I pray against those bad examples.

Now this isn’t a soap-box of good Jennifer, bad everyone else. It’s just an example of what has been so obvious as I have lived through this week and been aware of those around me in the context of leaving a legacy. We all will leave a legacy behind. I just can’t stress that enough. At our funerals, people will always say good things – that’s our cultural norm. But what will the real story be in the lives of those we influence? Will they learn more about how Jesus loved, and touched, and interacted or will they learn something else? I am more aware than ever, that how I live among my family and others who are watching means something. I am also more aware than ever that even a momentary indiscretion can have a lasting and dramatic impact. On the other hand, even in our greatest indiscretions, God offers forgiveness when we humbly come before him with a broken heart and desire to change. What a legacy it would leave behind if a Christian, who has said and done terrible things, sought forgiveness from God and owned up to the failure with those it could have impacted. Leaving a legacy of acceptance, not excuses, for failure and then seeking forgiveness would be amazing, and so out of character for our culture.

What legacy are you leaving behind? Is there something you can work on, change, or fix that will ensure a legacy of God’s love will be passed on?