Leaving A Legacy Without Making It Happen - 5 Helps

Which would you prefer after you die? That you miss no one left behind or that no one misses you? Both responses are a bit sad and would likely be the result of some unhealthy relationships or a personality that tends to put people off.

But I’m thinking that the least of the two would be that no one really cares that I’m gone. This happened to a king during Elijah’s time named Jehoram who apparently abandoned God. He’d built pagan shrines and got the people to give themselves to pagan gods and go astray. 2 Chronicles 21:11.

So God told Elijah to go and tell him the following: “You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah  .  . . .” Of course there were both natural and specific consequences for Jehoram because he wasn’t willing to follow God’s direction, but instead he rebelled and did his own thing.

But here’s the saddest part of all. He contracted a very serious, painful intestinal disease and as the Scripture says, he died in great pain. And in verses 19 and 20, it says that the people didn’t honor him but he passed away to no one’s regret. In other words no one was sad to see him go.

Wow, that is sad.  What a way to die and a frankly, what lousy way to have lived. Now of course, none of us will ever be perfect. And neither can any of us be sure we’ll die without a critic or two or even someone who isn’t sad to see us go.

But the good news is that no one has to live a life either so bland and boring or irritating and annoying that people hardly notice we’re gone or really aren’t sad that we’ve left.

Impacting legacies can’t be planned or manipulated, but we can till up fertile soil from which a special, memorable life grows and matures. How? Here are a few key, natural attitudes and actions that tend to lead to quality, impacting legacies.

First, regularly choose to care about others more than yourself. Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought,” and verse ten adds, “Honor one another above yourselves.”

Second, don’t settle for just okay. Do things well, with purpose, to help and love others, with excellence and hard work for God’s glory. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” The temple in the Old Testament was made with beauty, excellence and creativity.

Our body, all of it, the temple of the Holy Spirit, can and should mirror that same sense of excellence. We aren’t expected to be better than everyone else, just the best we can possibly be.

Third, surprise people with kindness, affirmation and encouragement. It’s amazing to me how an unexpected compliment, notice or special gift can make a person’s day, cause them to smile and give them a lift. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do only what is helpful for building others up.” What if we were known for being a person who adds value, genuine enthusiasm and optimism to every “room” we enter?

Fourth, don’t be boring. Have fun, try new things, be different in a good way and give some joy, laughter and excitement to people wouldn’t enjoy those qualities otherwise. Sometimes people are way TOO excited, over-the-top to the point of being annoying. But legacy people are almost always adventurers, free thinkers and willing to take wise risks to accomplish special unique things.

Have a project, know your calling, discover what makes you feel most alive. And often that’s what people will remember about you.

Fifthly, express your faith in everyday life. Make your love for Jesus natural, powerful and a source of hope to others. Legacy leaders are often remembered by others after they’re gone because people saw their life in the everyday.

Don’t pretend to know Jesus. Instead present to others what happens when a person knows Jesus. Be like Him as much as is naturally possible. Let His life and the Bible He taught impact all that you think, do and feel. Make your faith commitment an everyday thing where Jesus isn’t merely a segment or calendar entry but an obvious source of who and what you live for. Practice making Him the center of your being, learning from His example to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:21.

5 steps worth not just doing, but living.