What is Your Legacy?

 “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” —Galatians 6:4, MSG

Presidents’ Day is an interesting day on the school calendar, particularly in first grade. It is quite a legacy.

George Washington

As Lizzy tells it, the first graders were always interested when she mentioned that Washington was our first president and considered the father of our country. The students always asked the question: what happened to him? She would say he lived a long time ago. They would keep pressing with questions until someone asked where does he live now? Of course, she would have to answer that he died and is no longer alive. This always resulted in a collective gasp and this question…  “Does my mom know?” After that they did not hear anything else she said.

Legacy

So, the message, fathers and grandfathers, on this father’s day, be sure to make some good memories with your children and grandchildren before you end up like our first president. Actually, George Washington’s legacy changed the course of a nation. My question to you: What legacy will you leave? 

I love the book of Acts of the Apostles! When I was young, I was on a quiz team and I memorized much of the book. I was good. I knew all of the answers. Acts is ongoing. . . a living story. In Acts, the Holy Spirit is poured out for the first time on the day of Pentecost. In Acts, we learn of where we were first called “Christians.” We learn of the stoning of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, ship wrecks, and miracles. The Acts of the Apostles is a story that has not ended. In Acts, the disciples tell us the life-changing message of Jesus. They call us to affirm what they believed and to do the kinds of miraculous things they did.

We are called to act like Acts! It is not enough for us to do well in this life. We are called to do “good.” My question for you, can you name a specific thing God wants you to do? For example, I know that God called me to serve my wife and children. I know this pleases the heart of God. 

Trust!

The truth is we cannot please God in our own strength. We have to rely on His grace daily to meet situations of life we encounter. As I thumb through the Bible, I find that life has never been easy. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. They kept sinning. Babylon took the Israelites into captivity and only a remnant survived. God’s people have seen turmoil since the dawn of time, and this is promised to continue until the end of time. Life would be so much better without all the stress and troubles. However, God’s reply is direct and personal, “I got them through. I can get you through this too. Believe me. Trust me.”

Fathers, Grandfathers, it is time to start trusting! What has God put on your heart to do? You may not be on a path to become the father of a country, but God will put a big, bold vision in your heart…  if you will only listen.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Attitude Determines Altitude!