Leaving a Legacy

Lately, I’ve lost my way.  Not necessarily careening off God's clear road map but veering off into the Badlands of Pity and the Deep Sea of Regret.  I get too caught up in other’s expectations of me or their Saga of Drama, placing my own spiritual, emotional, and mental health aside to grease the skids for another.  Lost!

God has given me a friend that continually guides me back on track, counseling me in love, but more so in truth.  After calling her recently with an invitation to my pity party, she promptly put an end to my celebration.  She got down to the transparent, vulnerable, truth of the matter.  

"You're looking for approval and acceptance in all the wrong places, dear one.  Only our sweet Lord can love you and approve you in the way that is needed.” No one and nothing else!

To steer me back on track, she challenged me with specific goal setting.  Part of her charge was to consider what kind of legacy I want to leave behind.  What attributes do you want to characterize your life?  Seek scripture to support these characteristics and make a commitment to allow Christ to cultivate them in you.

 

What an idea!  In the past I’ve set all kinds of goals: financial, weight loss (groan!), and scripture memory.  However, I’ve never given thought to the sort of legacy I will leave behind.  What kinds of things do I want to characterize my life?  

God used this conversation to highlight several areas in my life that need attention, which I dub “My Four E’s”, based on Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Every Word – Fill my conversation with good, helpful, and encouraging words.

Every Opportunity – Take every opportunity to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.  

Ever Humble – Draw close to Him seeking humility and righteousness.

Ever Praising – Change my complaints to words of praise and look to Him for strength.  

What kind of legacy are you building?

Maybe you’ve realized you’ve lost your way, too. I hope “My Four E’s” have inspired you to establish your own legacy. Here’s an easy ABC checklist to get started.

• Ask God to reveal your Four E’s (or whatever you decide to title it).  

• Back-up your Spirit-led thoughts with Scripture.

• Commit to the Lord, through prayer, your desire to “cultivate” His legacy in your life.

Careening off God’s clear road map is never a pleasure trip.  However, He can transform a rocky wrong turn into a scenic lookout if we are alert to His desire for our lives.  

It won’t be easy. Accomplished only by a maturing relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, building a legacy of worth is a life-long process.   Together we can say goodbye to being lost and embrace a legacy of faith.

—Niki Carbajal

Niki is a wife and mother of five. She blogs about life's drama at www.Plantedontherock.com. An integral member of the u2havehope.com blogging team, Niki shares the ups and downs of family, friendship, and faith.