“Legacy isn’t about us. It’s about God working through us for His glory, not ours.” —Charles R. Swindoll
We all leave a legacy. It may be a good one, it may be a poor one, but without a doubt, we leave a legacy. Our legacy may not have the breadth of a Mother Teresa, but to those whom our lives may touch our legacy will be just as monumental. The legacy we leave will be inescapably vital to the next generations.
Legacies don’t just happen. They don’t fall out of heaven, materialize in the middle of our living rooms, or appear on our doorsteps accompanied by a knock and a note. Legacies are created. They require thought, preparation, and action. What we do today becomes our legacy tomorrow—either positive or negative.
1. God wants us to remember
Having travelled with the Israelites in Sinai for years, Moses told them to remember four things, each of which remains pertinent for us today.
First, they were to remember the way of God (Deuteronomy 8:2). Moses also told the Israelites not to forget the Word of God: “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today” (8:11 NASB). The third thing Moses told the people to remember was the wealth of God (8:18). Finally, the Israelites were to remember the wrath of God (9:7).
2. God wants us to turn the past toward the future
Creating a legacy is not about us; it’s about God working through us in amazing, unexpected ways, and passing His story on to others who will experience the same presence and provision of God in their own lives. Creating a legacy is the old, old story of God, retold and relived by each new generation of men and women.
3. God wants us to leave a lasting legacy
Times of transition always bring challenges, and for the Israelites the biggest challenge they faced as they began their conquest was the Jordan River. However, what appeared to be an obstacle to them was an opportunity for God to demonstrate His presence. The new generation of Israelites that had heard the story of the Red Sea were given a reminder of God’s miraculous power.
“Creating a Legacy of Remembrance” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Creating a Legacy. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary
