August 24, 2021 – Reflections on “Leaving a Legacy”

    One day, my Dad and I went for a walk in his later years. We talked about many things. Finally, he said what was really on his mind, “I don’t have much money to leave you, but I leave my good name.”

Did it hurt for him to say this? As most parents desire to watch over their children, as they see death may be near.

Yet, Dad and Mother left more than earthly inheritance. They left me a spiritual legacy of how to live a life pleasing to God. This legacy began long ago, several generations back. My Dad taught me by his example of teaching us Bible Stories, he taught me to read the lyrics in a hymn book, and he taught me to enjoy laughter and loving others. Meanwhile, Mother taught me to play the piano, encouraged me to sing, and sewed all my clothes while growing up from feed sacks.

Slowly I learned many lessons in how to follow Christ. Mother taught us memory verses while growing up, and now I know why. I can recall all of them. My brother, Jim, had an easy verse, “Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.” My verses were longer. I look into the hills from when cometh my help, my help cometh from Heaven and Earth. KJV… Psalm 121:1-2.

My grandfathers led the way. One grandfather taught himself the art of preaching while striding back and forth behind the barn. The other grandfather led the worship and the choir, learning and teaching many new hymns. My Mother’s dream while growing up was playing the piano for the church choir her father directed.

Although my Dad didn’t stay on pitch, he praised the Lord with joy. One day my sixth-grade teacher told us, “Younger children look up to you and want to do what you do. You set the example for them.” I wondered how this could be.

Later, I read this scripture and saw this truth. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:5-6.

In the next chapter is how Jesus feels about little children. Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14.

Every person named in the Bible left a legacy. Adam and Eve left a legacy of sin of disobedience. Their son, Cain, left a legacy of murdering his brother. Noah chose righteousness and obedience to God. He and his family were saved from the flood through the building of the Ark. God gave him the instructions and measurements, and Noah obeyed. When we think we are beyond help, we read how Peter denied Jesus Christ three times when He was crucified, and yet Peter was forgiven! How awesome is His Love.

Inheritance are gifts receive, and legacy consists of values imparted. Inheritance of earthly goods will not last but learning to love others and love God leads to an eternal reward. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. I Timothy 6:16-19.

In this age, when truth vacillates from Bible Truth to World Untruths, where can we find what to believe? If you just wish to leave an earthly perishable inheritance, we can ignore following God’s Truth.

In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we gain possession of it, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:11-14.

Before Jesus left this earth, He promised a Helper or Comforter will be with us. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:4-17.

Whatever we are facing, The Holy Spirit is with us, and understands. He comforts, loves, strengthens us. Why, because God Loves us. He wants to put a ‘forever’ in our lives that only comes through the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Every word we say, every action we choose to do, which builds either a positive or negative legacy. For those who live around us are watching and learning. My Grandfather Suderman amazed me, while reading scripture at the breakfast table just before my brothers and I would leave for high school. He read slowly and deliberately. What really caught my attention was what He said afterward. His blue eyes crinkled, as he said in awe, “I have read this scripture many times, and I never saw this before!”

That was eighty-six years ago, and then I found this scripture and remember my Grandpa! How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Psalm 119:103-104.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips, I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies, I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:12-15.

May my life be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

         The Life of Jesus is our legacy, leading us to our Eternal Inheritance.