The Legacy That Matters

Question to think about: What is your legacy?

We passed a funeral home and their cemetery on a well-traveled highway while we were doing some errands. There was a huge sign in the front of the funeral home that caught my eye . . . but . . . it took me a few moments to comprehend what it said: "Holiday Special: Two plots for the price of one!" Well . . . wow . . that is one way to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Of course most of us would agree that life gains meaning when we are aware of the brevity and fragility of life . . . and. . . planning ahead for the end-of-life makes a great difference to those left behind . . . however . . . ultimately the legacy we leave behind is how we have lived the life we were given.

So, how do we leave a legacy that matters?

Look at the legacy of Joseph, Mary, and some shepherds that Luke describes:
And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused (married) wife, who was about to become a mother. And while they were there, the time came for her delivery, And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. [I Sam. 2:34; II Kings 19:29; Isa. 7:14.] (Luke 2:5-12, AMP)

Luke not only wrote about the in-breaking of God into the daily life of humanity but also about the individuals who participated in the God-event. The story of Christ, God with us, would not be the same without Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds. Their legacy, recorded in the scriptures, powerfully demonstrates how humanity is given the opportunity to participate and engage with the activity of God in this world.

Evaluate your legacy.
Will your legacy matter?
Is God revealed in your legacy?
Stop.
Be still.
Know the presence of God.
Seek God.
Ask God to be revealed in your legacy that you might be remembered for who you are in Christ: "Not I, but Christ" (Galatians 2:20, KJV)
Give up one thing (fast) until the New Year for more time and clarity with God . . . determine how your legacy will reveal Christ.

Learning with you to leave a legacy that matters,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)