Legacy living…

During a recent morning devotion I was studying 1 Samuel 1-2.  It is the story of Hannah who for a long time was unable to have children.  Hannah prayed persistently to God asking for a child.  She said if God blessed her with the ability to have a child she would “give this child to the Lord for all the days of his life.”  God answered her prayers and blessed her with a child she named Samuel.  Hannah fulfilled her promise to God and Samuel went on to annoint Saul and David, Israel’s first two kings.  What a legacy Hannah left behind because of her faith and for keeping her promise to God. 

Have you ever thought about your legacy?  Do you realize everything you do creates a “wake” behind it?  Are your actions focused on making a difference? Do you turn your life over to God all the days of your life like Hannah did or are you totally consumed with the day to day living of making yourself feel good or trying to get ahead of, or simply keeping up with the Jones?  Is your wake a positive or negative wake?

This whole “legacy thing” came to me during my morning run after my devotion in Samuel. The song “Your Life is Now” by John Mellenkamp was playing on my Ipod.  When I heard the lyrics “Would you teach your children to tell the truth?  Would you take the high road if you could choose?  Do you believe you’re a victim of a big compromise?”  Listening to this song created a flashback in my mind….

Years ago after I had survived yet another close brush with death I was meeting with a surgeon and Christian friend of mine.  He was explaining to me how close I came to dying because of a perforated duodenal ulcer I had just experienced.  It was only through my wife and this surgeon’s quick thinking and subsequent emergency surgery that I am alive today.  I also believe he played a big part in why I’m sober today.  I remember him looking me in the eyes and saying “Jay you’ve got 2 children (this was before Michelle was born) and they need their dad.  You need to change the way you are living.”  He knew what was going on, although he said nothing about my life as an addict.  In essence he was saying your legacy is sucking right now and what you will leave behind if you don’t change is a life of sorrow for your kids and a world that will be no different because of your existence.

That appointment with the surgeon took place 4 months before I took my last drink and drug.  He will never realize how powerful his words rang with me some 22 years ago; “Jay your kids need their dad.”  Since I got sober I’ve been trying to keep my wake purposeful for my family and the world one day at a time.  I’ve been trying to “teach my children to tell the truth” through the way I live my life.

In 1st Timothy 6:17-19 Paul writes “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”  In essence Paul was simply telling Timothy to take the high road and create a legacy for generations to come.

How is your wake looking these days?

P.E.A.C.E.