"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."
Albert Pike
At times, we lose sight of the long-term impact our life can have.
Why does this happen? Often it is because we forget that we have the opportunity to make a long-term impact and leave a legacy.
When it comes to leaving a legacy, we must have faith that all the time and resources we put into helping kids will bear fruit now and later as well.
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
We hope that the Bible lessons we share will come to mind when kids are making decisions. We hope that the Bible verses we help kids memorize will guide them one day. We hope that the small group discussions we have will help kids walk with Jesus. We hope that the prayers we pray will be heard and help kids follow Jesus when they are older. We hope the time we invest in parents will help them guide their children spiritually as they grow up.
As the verse says, we must have faith that God is using us to make a long-term impact in people’s lives. It's important to remind yourself of this on a regular basis. If you are only looking short-term, you can get discouraged. Especially on those days when it seems the kids are not listening and every take home paper you passed out is blowing across the parking lot.
Remember the opportunity you have to leave a legacy. It's important to remember that serving is an opportunity to leave a true legacy that will outlive you.
“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
William James
William James
I have a friend who is from China…born and raised. He has been one of the leading people who helps the underground church in China train and equip volunteers to reach and disciple children. Our correspondence was cautious to say the least. If the government found out he was helping the underground churches, he could have been arrested. At one time, he was training and equipping over 89,000 volunteers online. This translates into millions of children that are being impacted with the Gospel.
Recently, he shared with me that the police had come and arrested some of the volunteer leaders in the churches because they were doing Vacation Bible School. But he remains steadfast and faithful.
I was curious how he came to Christ having been raised in an atheistic society. He shared with me that decades ago, a missionary from Houston, Texas had come to China and led his great, great, great grandfather to Jesus. He is a fifth-generation believer. Think about that. One person from Houston…decades ago…planted one seed. From that seed has come tens of thousands of believers. What a legacy that man from Houston has made. His legacy has long outlived him.
You just never know what God will do with you. You just never know what kind of legacy you can leave when you obey God’s call. When you decide you will radically obey Jesus a legacy is born and that far outlive you when you are obedient.
“Leaving a legacy is about planting seeds in a garden you will never get to see in full blossom”
Lin Manuel-Miranda
Lin Manuel-Miranda
Thirty-six years ago, when I was in college, I was part of a ministry that reached children and their families in the inner city of Chicago. Each Saturday morning, we would go out and share the Gospel with kids and parents and invite them to church. The next day, we would pick them up and take them to church.
One of the little girls we reached was named Veronica. We knocked on her door and invited her to come to church. Her parents agreed that she could come and so she began attending church with us.
She invited Jesus into her life and began following Him. After college, I moved away and lost contact with her and her family. Then, about a year ago, I got a message on Facebook from her. She asked if I was the Dale who invited her to church when I ministered in Chicago decades ago? Long story short, she has continued to attend church and grow in her faith for all these years. She is now married and lives in Orlando.
She is a children's ministry volunteer at a great church there. Recently her son came to Christ as well. It was a great reminder for me that our investments will outlive us. When I am gone, her son will be carrying the message to his generation.
One day in heaven, you will be able to see the full impact your legacy has made. Until then, keep giving. Keep sharing. Keep investing. Keep mentoring. Keep caring. Keep praying. Do this and your investment will outlive you.
Long after you and I are in Heaven, the investment we made here on earth will continue to grow and reach people you won't meet until they are in Heaven with you. You are sending a message into the future through the people you reach and disciple.
Determine to leave a legacy that will outlive you.
Have you gotten a copy of my new book yet? It's called "Legacy...How to Leave Your Mark on This World." It is available at this link.
