Legacy
When we hear the word legacy, perhaps our minds immediately think of an inheritance, a bequest, something left to somebody in a will. And obviously those are correct uses of the word. But the word has much broader meaning.
Legacy is not just about money, it’s about impact, an impression made - being an example.
In his letter to a young Pastor called Timothy, Paul told him to live life as an example. The Greek word used there is tupos, a word used to describe a stamp that makes an impression in wax. We are called to leave a lingering mark on others for the glory of God. That way our lives will prompt enquiring questions, as people seek to know why we care, why we serve, and why we make the choices to live in obedience to Jesus.
Making an impression isn’t actually an option. We all leave a legacy, whether we choose to or not. Some lives leave a mark, others leave a stain….
J.R. Miller (1840 – 1912) was an American Presbyterian minister and author who sold over 2 million books in his lifetime: ‘There have been meetings of only a moment which have left impressions for life, for eternity. No one can understand that mysterious thing we call influence . . . yet . . . every one of us continually exerts influence, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, to hurt, to poison, to stain other lives..’
His book is no longer in print, but is available as a kindle product.
And legacy is not just about what we leave when we’re old, or when we die, and it’s not just about a life - it can be a moment, an action, a word spoken that leaves a lingering mark.
Can we make a difference in the world? One man did. I’ve talked about him before, but his story is really worth repeating. Telemachus, a fourth century monk, travelled to Rome and was appalled by what he saw. As he sat in the Coliseum, he was traumatised to see gladiators hacking each other to death. In the end, he could take no more and he stood to his feet. ‘In the name of Christ, forbear’ he cried. ‘Stop!’ He was a solitary voice among the bloodthirsty cheering. The crowd bristled and told him to shut up, but he refused and raised his voice again.
Finally, one of the gladiators made his way to where the monk stood and ran him through with his sword. Telemachus was murdered by a man whose life he was trying to save. But as the monk lay dying, someone decided to leave the Coliseum in disgust. Others followed suit and soon a massive exodus took place. There would never be gladiatorial games held at the Coliseum again. Telemachus had no idea – he died on the ‘grandstand’ – but his legacy was a final ending to the blood-letting.
Life is painful. But if we live by faith boldly and beautifully, we can leave a wonderful legacy - making an impact today, and in the future as well.
One example of this can be found in a marvellous, heartwarming book: People like Us, by Sandra Lacey. Get a copy if you can. Sandra chronicles the poignant and at times heartbreaking story of her life with Rob Lacey, a British actor and writer who was renowned for his brilliance and creativity in communicating the Christian message. Rob died after a lengthy battle with cancer. At his funeral, as the service came to an end, the hundreds who gathered to celebrate Rob’s life stood in a spontaneous standing ovation - the ultimate accolade for a performer, applause for a job well done, and, in Rob’s case, a life beautifully lived. How did he stay faithful until the end, in the midst of such terrible pain and ongoing uncertainty? He built friendships. He called for prayer. He invested into his family. And he never gave up trusting God, and seemed to face one day at a time, with courage and resilience. It’s been said that death is the final test of faith: as we face it, will we believe that its sting and victory have truly been removed? Another great British Christian leader, David Watson, confessed that his faith wavered and fear temporarily conquered him during his to-the-death battle with cancer - but in the end, he died peacefully and with firm faith in Christ.
What will our legacy be like? Whatever our sphere of service, may we be found worthy of a standing ovation, not only on this side of eternity, but on the other side too.