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What was her name?


When people talk about you what do they say?

She is so nice.....

 Oh her house is so pretty....

 That lady can bake.....

 Her kids are so well behaved....

 She loves the Lord.....

How do they know that about you?  Because they have spent time with you.  Because they have eaten your food, been in your home, done play dates with you, served in church with you, been on trips with you....they have done life with you.

Recently I have been struck by the word legacy.  What does it mean to leave a legacy?  What is your legacy?  Do you even know if you are leaving one?  Legacy is defined at it's most simple by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary 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".  Basically it is what you leave to the world and your family.  Now, I don't know about you but, I probably won't being leaving any large sum of money to those that come after me.  I haven't amassed wealth.  We have a nice home with lovely furnishings and are very comfortable but, let's be honest there isn't a million dollars sitting in the bank.

When you choose to follow Christ your idea of legacy changes.  You should come to understand that stuff is just that....stuff.  It may be taken and lovingly cherished or it may end up in a big garage or estate sale.  What remains are the memories.  Those things which you cannot really grip with your hands but, you grip with your heart.  Once you embrace that concept, you start to wonder what memories am I leaving?  Do I spend enough time with the kids/grandchildren?  Do I love on my friends when they need it?  How many people have I told about Jesus?

Then the legacy becomes - do they see Jesus when they look at me?  Are they talking about my house, my baking or my crafting abilities or are they talking about how I loved the Lord?  How I shared Him with everyone I could?  How I served and glorified Him in all that I did?  Because truly that is the ONLY thing they should be talking about.  To be frank, I don't know that people will say that about me.  I don't know that I am doing enough to point to Him.  So what do I do about that.....

The past two weeks, we had someone filling in for my husband in lifegroup.  He shared with us his life before Christ and his life after.  He showed us the ways in which he has been able to point those he meets to Christ.  Simple, easy and gentle ways to tell strangers about the Savior.  He has written letters, passed out gospel tracks, put it on license plates (lots of license plates), given rides, and even asked people straight up what they believe.  He has gotten bolder as he has gotten older.  Why?  Because he knows how precious life is and how short time is.  I do not have that boldness.  If someone asks me then I will no doubt share until they don't want me to share anymore.  But to just stick my neck out there and do it with a stranger...total coward.

I used to tell myself, "well my spiritual gift isn't evangelism somebody else can handle that part".  That isn't what the bible tells us though is it?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."  
Matthew 28: 19

" And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation'."
Mark 16:15

Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  That means me too.  I am suppose to be telling everyone I can about Jesus.  But that means you too.  Why?  Because there is no greater need on this earth than that.  There is no greater legacy to be left than eternal life in heaven with Jesus Christ, our Savior.  We have to get bold people!  We have to stop worrying about what everyone will think of us and just do it!  I am speaking to you but, I am really speaking to me.  I don't want people to say anything about me except that I pointed everyone to Christ.  I gave God the credit.  I shared the good news even when I was afraid and embarrassed.

As I have mentioned before, music often says what I cannot.  This song by says exactly what I am trying to say here.

Only Jesus by Casting Crowns

Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it's said and done
'Cause all that really mattered
Did I live the truth to the ones I love?
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever?

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name

Jesus is the only name to remember
And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

What legacy are you leaving the world? 

 This post is in honor of Dave and Joy Wriston.  Two people who shared Christ in all that he does and all that she did. 

Telling my story and giving Him glory,
Christ Follower
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Location: Amherst, VA 24521, USA

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