GPBC Blog

Lately I have been contemplating what my legacy will be. Several years ago, I had a conversation with Doug Wachsmuth and he asked me what the Lord was teaching me and how my family was doing. My question to him was, “How about you? What are you focusing on?” Doug's answer was profound to me. He said, “I am working on finishing well.” At the time, I wasn’t quite ready to think of finishing well, but as I get older and have more “life” behind me instead of in front of me (I could live to be 114, but probably not), the question has become more relevant. My thinking was off though. This is not an age thing; we are to start thinking about our legacy as soon as we become a Christian. 

At the Women’s Retreat, Kimberly Brune spoke about legacy and mentioned the oak tree. Did you know that it can take 20-50 years for an oak tree to fully mature? So an oak tree legacy is a “seed” that you plant but you may not be around to see the fruit.  

I believe there are three areas of opportunity we have to plant seeds: our finances, our time, and our prayers.  

Our Finances: Are we tithing? Are we supporting our global partners? Are we giving to other organizations? Our money does go a long way in spreading the Gospel. It helps with the current and ongoing ministries of the church to teach God’s Word to believers as well as future believers. Those of us who are Christians today, are here because of past generation’s giving money to the church (oak tree legacy). If you are not tithing, I encourage you to give something. No matter how small the amount, the important part is to start. 

Our Time:  Are you volunteering anywhere? Are you getting to know your neighbors? Are you spending time with the next generations? No matter how old you are, unless you are a newborn, there is a generation behind you.  We have plenty of opportunities to give our time. Sally Bland would love to have help with the Homework Club. Many of those kids are unchurched. This may be the one opportunity they have to be around a believer. Did your neighbor just have a baby or perhaps an illness? Offer to take a meal or go grocery shopping. Start building relationship bridges. Spend time with your grandkids. If you don’t have any, “adopt’ some. There are many kids without grandparents who are missing out on the joy of someone older loving on them. 

Our Prayers: Has God laid anyone on your heart? Are you praying for our church leaders? Government leaders? Teachers? Grandkids? God calls us to pray. He doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. Hate your neighbor? Pray for him. Be a blessing. Hate the government? Pray about it. Don’t get along with your brother? Pray for him. You may not see a change of heart, but it will change yours! 

If you don’t know what to pray, pray Ephesians 3:16 and personalize the “you” with the person’s name. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it, and may you be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16, NLT) 

I would encourage you to give some thought to what your legacy with be. Try to be more intentional. Our treasure on earth will perish, but the treasure we store up in heaven is imperishable (1 Peter). May your legacy and mine be ones that truly are imperishable!