What God Left Behind

Today’s Focus: To understand what a Godly legacy looks like, we should examine how God sets up future generations for success.

What will you leave behind when you leave this earth?

It’s not something we like to think about, but there’s no escaping the fact that we will leave a legacy of some sort.

Our choices in life will determine what kind of legacy we leave.

Knowing that, it’s essential we think not just about the past or the present, but about the future we will not be around to see.

Unfortunately, it often takes a tragedy or sudden loss to remind us that life is truly fleeting.

When we hear news of a famous celebrity, prominent artist (or, much closer to home, one of our loved ones) passing away, it instantly shocks our systems and forces us to face the question, “What will I leave behind?”

Revelation 14:13 speaks to this as it gives us perspective on those who have passed away.

“They may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them” (NIV).

We all must, one day, leave this world. But the effect and lasting legacy of our works will remain.

So, just what should we leave behind, and how can we make sure it’s a legacy we can be proud of?

As we begin, let’s first define what a legacy is.

Merriam Webster defines a legacy as, “ a gift by will, especially of money or other personal property,” or, “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.”

Let’s be clear that legacy is not just about money, fame, or influence. It is the successful transfer of value, identity and purpose from one generation to the next.

How does that apply to us? Well, let’s look at the legacy God Himself has left us.

Now, it may seem almost sacrilegious to say that the eternal God of heaven and earth ‘left’ anything, since He is very much still present and overseeing the universe.

But, in another sense, God has repeatedly stepped into time and then stepped back out of that time. In each instance, there was a specific thing He intentionally left as a legacy to be found, explored, and applied.

So as creators, we must emulate the Ultimate Creator and prepare to leave a legacy that impacts the world even when we’re no longer in it.

The closest Biblical connection to a legacy is the concept of an inheritance, which often appears in Scripture when a generational or leadership transition is being discussed.

For example, the prodigal son wanted his inheritance, or legacy, to be given over before it was rightfully his. Nevertheless, the father agreed and transferred the control of that inheritance to his younger son.

As Moses prepared Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the promised land, he set up the tribes (except for Levi) so they would receive an inheritance with instructions on how to manage it.

Here’s a key element of legacy that we should note: before you can receive one, you have to follow someone.

A legacy doesn’t just appear. It’s part of a relationship forged by choice and connection, and the results can be a blessing or a burden depending on how it is founded and transferred.

It’s God’s responsibility to provide you with the raw materials of a legacy.

But it’s your responsibility to protect it so future generations will be blessed.

During the next 4 days, we’ll unpack what leaving a legacy means to the faith-focused creator - whether your name is known by millions or only a few - so you can be a blessing to the generations you will never meet on this side of heaven.

Application for Today

Think about the legacy you have received spiritually, professionally, relationally, and/or financially. Do you believe those who came before you were intentional in preparing that legacy for you? How can you change your approach to life today to build a better legacy for the future?