As we are coming off the summer filled with family time and holidays, there has been daily of reflection. As Tommi and I watch the maturing of our youngest two children—twins Hadassah and Tanner—and soon depart for college, being at our homestead in North Carolina with family, this reflection was a great reminder of my grandparents, both Jefferson and Julia Vincent as well other ancestors. The word legacy kept arising in my mind.
Legacy is defined as something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. For me, legacy has many layers. The many lessons that my grandfather Jefferson passed on that has guided me through life. The wise advice of those who had journeyed before me in areas of professionalism and leadership that strengthened my character. The many individuals who shared the gos
This time of reflection led me to think about my own personal legacy, and hopefully this blog will allow you to think about yours. What is the best legacy that can be left to the good of others, to my children and grandchildren, that can be passed to the next generation? Sure, our accomplishments in life are things that others will remember, but what is meaningful and everlasting? What will endure the test of time?
In thinking it through, the legacy that I want to be remembered by and leave with our children is the example of fulfilling God’s promises in my life, being an ambassador for Jesus Christ, and utilizing my platform to spread the gospel of the Old and New Testaments of the living Bible. My personal life’s journey has led me to this as the most important legacy to leave behind for our children—with the faith and substance of hope that they will choose to live for Christ and be reminded from Tommi’s and myexample. That they will come to know in their heart of hearts that when God created them, they were created with beauty, spirit, soul that is unique only to them.
As we search our hearts for the legacy of our lives, it’s important to determine what will last for eternity. What are we passing on to the next generation and generations afterwards? As Christ underscored in Matthew 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doeth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
For me, the most important legacy is the abundance of life promised by Christ and the legacy of eternal life; that wherever we were and whoever we were with, my service to and representation of the body of Christ is my example.