Leaving a Legacy – Part 2

Read Part 1 of this series, Leaving a Legacy 

What comes to mind when you hear the word legacy? My assumption is that most of us think of some kind of financial gift or inheritance.  Have you ever considered a legacy as the impact you have on the lives of others? A legacy, particularly your legacy, is not as much about what you leave behind as it is how you choose to guide, support, and inspire those who follow in your footsteps.

In part one of “Leaving A Legacy”, we looked at Paul’s second letter to Timothy for guidance. Let’s remind ourselves of Paul’s words to Timothy.

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-7

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Reflect

How can you leave a legacy of positive impact?

Be An Encourager

One of the most powerful ways to invest in the future is to support and encourage those entrusted to your care. Paul was Timothy’s encourager. He supported Timothy by reminding him of his own belief and confidence in him. He encouraged Timothy by telling him he was grateful for the ministry they shared together and that he prayed for him night and day.

He reminded Timothy of the legacy he had received from his family. Paul writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure lives in you.”

Then Paul instructed him. “It is for this reason that I write to remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…”

“God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Paul supported and encouraged Timothy in ministry.

As you reflect upon your legacy, who might you encourage? A child, grandchild, co-worker?  Who needs your legacy of encouragement?

Provide Learning Opportunities

Paul provided Timothy the opportunity to be in ministry in the church in Ephesus. As Timothy learned ways to relate to others and to communicate clearly, Paul provided more opportunities to learn.  

Whether you are in a position of leadership, run a business, direct a choir, coach a youth team, or parent children, you have the power to provide learning opportunities for others. This could be as simple as offering internships, recommending someone for a project, or giving your children responsibilities around the house. Each act of support and encouragement builds a foundation of trust and confidence for others to become more who God has created them to be.

Think about the people entrusted to you, what learning opportunities can you provide to help them grow in their faith, develop their character, and provide them hope? 

Lead By Example

Just as Paul put his own life forward as an example for Timothy, your life is a lesson to those who observe it. You have the opportunity to lead by inviting people into your life. Although there are several people who have been examples for me, one person in particular comes to mind. She has never tried to teach, instruct, demand, or command. She has just lived her life as an example of integrity and authenticity. Her example is not so much about being perfect as it is about being genuine and consistent.

Paul did the same for Timothy. He set a pattern for Timothy to live, reminding him that “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

In what areas of your life and work could you be intentional about leading by example?

Be A Courageous Leader

Timothy was facing opposition and resistance in Ephesus. Paul reminded Timothy that it takes courage to face the challenges he was facing.

By God’s grace, there is power to cope with disappointment, to stand tall in the face of adversity, to keep the faith in the midst of sorrow and despair. It takes God given power to pass the breaking point and not break.

What I have learned is that loving people makes a difference. As a follower of Jesus, you have a legacy of love strong enough to love people regardless of situation or circumstance. The only way to face the challenges of ministry is to keep your focus upon God’s love, agape, and to love the people entrusted to your care with agape.

So, encourage those coming after you to think about taking risks. Breaking new ground often requires courage to step out of comfort zones. By cheering on the risk-takers and supporting innovative ideas, we help cultivate a culture where progress is possible and new leaders can emerge.

What support and encouragement do you need to be a courageous leader?

Share Your Story

Your life journey has lessons that can benefit others. By reflecting on your path and sharing your stories, you help others see the possibilities in their own lives. It takes courage to be vulnerable with others. But sharing your challenges, failures, and successes makes your leadership relatable and motivational.

Leaving a legacy is about planting seeds that will grow long after you are gone. It’s about intentional actions that support and encourage growth, resilience, and empowerment in the people who follow you.

You have the opportunity to make a lasting impact. It starts with your commitment to your life in such a way that you are intentionally investing in the lives of others. It is who you are and who you are is how you lead.

Respond

How is your legacy impacting the people entrusted to you care? What are you leaving behind to guide, support, and inspire those who follow in your footsteps?

Arnold Prater, in his book You Can Have Joy! talks about John Deckard who lived in a small village in England. Deckard was a clerk in a textile factory. A modest and quiet man, he lived in a small house on the edge of town with his wife and his six-year-old son, Rob. Like thousands of Englishmen, every morning John put on his suit, got on his bicycle, and rode to work.  He would return home at 5:00 every evening, work in his garden, where he grew roses, until suppertime. Then he would spend the rest of the evening with his wife and son.

He was a very ordinary man living what most people would call a very ordinary life.  But he had one claim to fame. For five consecutive years he had won the blue ribbon in the Village Garden Show with his prize roses. He had won so many times that people had begun to expect that John Deckard’s prize rose would win.

His work in his rose garden brought him much pleasure. Each evening, after returning from work, he would put on his coveralls and spend his time with his roses. He took special care of his roses. Many people used him as an example for raising and caring for their own roses.

One year, Deckard knew deep in his heart he had another blue ribbon rose. It was beautiful. In all the years he had grown his roses, he had never seen one with such perfection.  It was a masterpiece. He was proud of his accomplishment.

With the show being on Saturday, he planned to transplant his rose to a pot early on Saturday morning and take it to the Village Garden Show. But something happened that morning that changed him, his family, and community.

While he was having breakfast, his son, Rob, burst into the kitchen, rushed to the table, and said, “Look Daddy! Look what I have for you!”  And in his little hand, with several petals gone, and its head drooping, was Deckard’s prize rose. 

That afternoon, visitors to the Garden Show were astonished when they came to John Deckard’s entry. For in a flowerpot, he had placed a stick. Attached to the stick, at the very top, was a picture of his son, Rob. When the judges heard what had happened, they gave John Deckard an honorary blue ribbon. When others heard the story, they said that the rose that was not a rose was the finest rose he had ever grown.

• You are leaving a legacy. Who are the people you are impacting?
• Who are the people you encourage?
• What is one learning opportunity you will provide this week?
• What example will you provide for them to follow?
• How will you lead with courage?
• What story will you share?

What are you leaving behind to guide, support, and inspire those who follow in your footsteps?

Return

Give God thanks for the people you met today. Were you aware of your words and actions? Who did you include in your love and care today? How did you work for the good of people around you? How will your community be different because of the presence of Christ in and through you? As you reflect upon and grow into the legacy you are leaving, what will you do differently tomorrow?

Give God thanks for the opportunities you had to love others as you have been loved. Ask God to give you the faith to live and lead with quiet trust and confidence. Who you are is how you lead. What legacy are you leaving?