When last did you give some thought to leaving a legacy that will make you proud? Do you feel that you have failed regarding creating your legacy? Perhaps the question to be asked is ‘do you actually understand what legacy means?’ Surely, you may appreciate that it’s true – most people live lives of quiet desperation.
Most people are filled with regret at the end of their lives. Leaving too many things undone and failing to live enthusiastically and with purpose are common regrets. If you want to live a fulfilling life, a life worthy of admiration, it’s important to determine your legacy today and begin living it straightaway.
Most of us get roughly 70 good years. It’s time to get serious and decide to make the most of them.
Live a Fulfilling Life
There’s a biography of someone who didn’t understand why they were created and thus the Creator could not get glory from their life. You all know him: –
His name was Solomon Grundy…Born on Monday
Christened on Tuesday…Married on Wednesday…
Taken ill on Thursday…Worse on Friday…
Died on Saturday…Buried on Sunday…
And that was the end of Solomon Grundy.
Yet many of his children and grandchildren are still alive today. His offspring are those persons who have yet to discover their own God-given purpose for living.
Proverbs 19:21 is a foundational scripture in regard to understanding God’s purpose: – “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Let’s personalize that passage of scripture and read it again putting our name in place of the word man.
We can build upon this foundation when we look at Romans 12:1-2 (I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.)
Understanding Purpose
In case you didn’t realize, God has a spiritual calling on your life and mine too. He has wonderfully and uniquely prepared you and me to accomplish our divine assignment. Do you remember Noah, David, and Mary, three popular biblical characters?
Noah is most famous for building an ark — a giant three-decked wooden box in which he, his family, and a whole bunch of animals ride out a massive flood that God sent to destroy humankind for its disobedience.
David was Israel’s second and greatest king. As a boy, David courageously defeats a mighty enemy warrior named Goliath with only a sling and a stone. As a man, David conquers all Israel’s enemies and begins a dynasty that would rule Jerusalem for nearly 500 years.
Being Jesus’ mom, as you might imagine, is bound to put you in the theological limelight, and Mary holds this office with dignity and grace.
Your purpose is uniquely matched to you and God has created us accordingly. You are so wonderfully made, that’s why there is never going to be another person like you.
Feeling special now, right?
Every tiny aspect of an individual’s life has intention and a specified time (season) when that purpose unfolds. Purpose is always in the company of passion. If you can reveal your passion then you’ll discover your purpose.
The proof of DESIRE is PURSUIT. So, what are you pursuing daily?
Reasons Why Persons Don’t Fulfill Their Purpose
- They link purpose to the future and not the present (procrastinate)
- Purpose lies within the actions of today and not in the expectations of tomorrow.
- To preoccupied with Wants & Assets: – the things you own end up owning you (debt – the borrower becomes a slave to the lender).
- They refuse to renew their mind to the will of God (Romans 12:2 which we just read)
The Pursuit of Purpose
According to Myles Munroe in his book The Pursuit of Purpose, “the deepest craving of the human spirit is to find a sense of significance and relevance. The search for relevance in life is the ultimate pursuit of man.”
Good friend, don’t be caught off guard. If your vision for life is measured by status, your upkeep will be your downfall because your purpose is incorrectly focused.
Definition: Munroe defines purpose as “the master of motivation and mother of commitment. It is the source of enthusiasm and the womb of perseverance. Purpose gives birth to hope and instills the passion (will) to act.”
That’s just awesome…
Purpose is: –
- The original intent for the creation of a thing (a microwave was meant to heat not cool food)
- The objective that prompts the journey
You must realize that your fulfillment in life is dependent on your becoming what you were born to be and do. Until your purpose is discovered, your existence has no meaning.
Accordingly, your existence is evidence that this generation needs something that your life contains. You are the creation that can meet God’s desired result. Your purpose is designed to affect history within and beyond your generation.
The Missing Link
You are a necessary part of the world’s population and a vital link in this generation. We need your purpose and the impact of your legacy.
In Pursuit of Purpose we read that God’s purpose is not hindered by your past. He turned a coward (Gideon) into a mighty leader (Judges 6-8), and a murderer (Moses) into a deliverer (Exodus 3).
Just imagine what He could make of you. You are not too old to resume your purpose. Nothing you have done can cancel your purpose. The world is waiting for you to produce your purpose.
God always makes things come to maturity within is specified time. He has built into all creation the ability to find completeness, fulfillment, perfection and beauty before its time is past.
In essence, your length of physical life is determined by your purpose.
What Does Leaving A Legacy Mean?
Legacy is a gift or bequest, that is handed down, endowed or conveyed from one person to another. Usually, it’s something that they are remembered by after they are gone.
Some people’s legacies last only a few weeks or several months because it is based primarily on material things such as cars, houses, money, jewelry, and other worldly possessions.
However, the bible tells us in the book of Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is better than riches”. There is no greater legacy to leave behind than a good name and a life of compassion.
Take for example “the parable of the rich fool” in the bible.
He was a rich man who had made a lot of money from farming. One year, there was an abundant harvest which presented a challenge in storing his crops.
He then said to himself, “I will tear down my barns, and build even bigger ones where I will store up my grains and goods. I will then have goods for many more years that I can rest, eat, drink and be merry.”
The bible goes on to tell us what God said to him – “You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The goods which you have prepared, whose will they now be?”
The rich man was so concerned with his riches that he had lost sight of what was important, which is living a good and compassionate life. A life that is rich in love, goodness, and joy.
A life that imparts happiness to everyone around you, that makes an actual impact on the world. Will you accept the challenge of creating and leaving a legacy that results from the progressive realization of a God-inspired idea? Such a legacy will be remembered and can outlive you.
Establish Your Legacy
Leaving a legacy that can outlive you requires some effort. Following these strategies will help you discover if you are on track and begin living it:
1) Establish your core values. Figure out what’s most significant to you. Take your time. You only have one life so make it as meaningful as possible.
2) Start with the end in mind. Imagine you’re on your death bed battling cancer. Are you living in a gated community, your dream mansion being cared for by a private nurse? Are you a resident in a nursing home or a modest family home? Is your immediate family with you? Do you have a string of friends, family, and admirers stopping by to pay their respects?
3) What do you want to look back upon? What will your live have been about? Fighting against domestic abuse or spreading peace throughout the world? Building a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio? Traveling the Caribbean and enjoying tropical climates? Building a business while ensuring a close-knit family?
- Make a list of everything you want to do, have, and accomplish over the course of your lifetime. What great cause do you want to represent?
4) Are you currently living in a way that will lead to this ending? Imagine your average weekday and weekend. If you continued living this way for the rest of your life, where would you end up? Are you on the path to living the legacy you desire?
5) Determine the first step. What do you need to do first? Create a set of goals with the ultimate end in mind. Create a starting goal that you can begin working on immediately.
6) Get started. Take the first step. This is the hardest part. If you want to build a million-dollar business empire, it’s not easy to get started when you only have $67 in your savings account. It’s just going to take a little more time and a little more work.
7) Avoid losing sight of what’s most important. Avoid getting too caught up in your big hairy audacious goals. You still have friends and family to care for, and they probably don’t care if you live an extraordinary life. They love you whether you live an impressive life or not.
Build Your Legacy
Are you ready to live intentionally, make an impact and build your legacy? Marsha Flemmings (aka the Legacy Coach) is a dear friend who can help create a shift for you. Visit her online to learn how she can help you live more intentionally.
Leaving A Legacy
What kind of legacy are you leaving? Every day we meet a lot of people, at our jobs, at school and in our neighborhoods. Yet, how many can you honestly say are worth remembering? And how many can state that you were unforgettable?
You sometimes have to ask yourself the tough questions. Questions such as:
- Am I creating a legacy worth remembering?
- Is my life only focused on gaining wealth and fame?
- What am I doing to invest in my relationships?
- Am I making a difference in my family, community and country?
- Am I living a meaningful life?
- How many souls have I had an impact on?
Evaluate yourself by answering these questions, then start taking steps in creating a legacy worth remembering. You can create a life that is exciting and fulfilling. Dream big, muster your courage, and get started today to make it a reality.
Be sure to let the Holy Spirit guide you in this because, in the end, living a Godly life is the best legacy.
Over to you. How are you creating a legacy that outlives you? Share with us in the comments section below.
