Let your legacy show you loved God

Do you ever think about what you will be known for when you are gone? How will you be remembered because of the mark that you leave on this world?

Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”

I believe Franklin summed up the definition of life legacy pretty well.

When we think about certain people, great causes, phrases or remembrances seem to correspond to their legacy.

Jonas Salk left a legacy that saved millions of children because of the polio vaccine that he invented. Harriet Tubman left a legacy of bravery, ingenuity and faith because she led hundreds of slaves to the north to freedom. For Ronald Reagan, the words “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” in my mind defines him.

Even those who are still alive have powerful legacies. When I think of Al Gore, the words “climate change” are synonymous with him in my mind. Then Gloria Steinem brings back images of the women’s movement. Tom Brokaw reminds me of his book that termed the well-known phrase “greatest generation.” Then there is J.K. Rowling and her ever so famous books about Harry Potter.

Still remains this question: “After I am gone, what will I be remembered for and what will be my legacy?”

Behind all great humanitarian movements, a person or persons with common passions were the initiators of those movements.

Think about the singer Bono. He has touched millions of lives as he has met with world leaders on issues of world poverty and AIDS.

What about Samaritan’s Purse? Countless children from all over the world have received lifesaving heart surgeries and face reconstructions because of Samaritan’s Purse.

Doctors Without Borders has gone into the most desolate and war-torn areas of the world and saved many lives with their expertise.

Smile Train has given new hope and life to so many children in need of mouth surgery.

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of children with no cost to the patient or family.

Easter Seals, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, Compassion International and the list can go on and on.

In Clovis, I am thinking about the Lighthouse Mission, Salvation Army and The Hartley House. All these initiatives started with someone’s passion to offer help, to those in need.

But in the end, when the world is churning on without us, what will matter? What will our legacy be?

It seems to me that those things that helped people, met a tremendous need at some point in their lives, that gave hope and assurance to those who were struggling … those acts of kindness are the basis for a positive legacy.

So what is your passion? For the Christian, we have to remember that it is not about us but it is about serving God through our passion in all our endeavors.

Is there a need that you are aware of? A good start would be to act on that need, meet that need that someone has, even if it seems insignificant to you. Ask God to give you a special calling to do his will and extend a hand into a needy world that is needy spiritually, emotionally and physically.

The religious elite of the day pretty much thought that all they had to do was to keep spiritual rules and rituals to carry out their faith. The account in the Bible relates that a teacher tried to pin Jesus down and asked him which was the greatest commandment of all.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)

Leave a legacy that will truly show that you loved God and loved your neighbor as yourself.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]