Legacy. The older we get, the more the priority it is. Mortality drives the desire for something of us to live on after our lives are ended. The big question is, what will be the legacy? What will future generations remember of us after we are gone?
"He (Jacob) blessed Joseph, and said, 'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." (Genesis 48.15-16)
An elderly man named Jacob (Israel) lay on his deathbed. Before him is a favorite son, and two grandsons. In the waning moments of his life, he lays hands on the two young grandsons and extends both his testimony and his blessings. It is a solemn moment of transferring the legacy of faith in the living God.
Each generation must freely choose whether to embrace of reject the faith handed down. As with Jacob, a blessing can be transferred, but it is ultimately for the descendants to choose whom they will serve. And, their choice will be much influenced by what they have seen in the lives of those closest to them.
What of your legacy? Do you assume certain traits and qualities will be evident and transferred to your children and grandchildren? Are you hoping a good legacy will be transferred, or are you deliberately discipling and training the next generation?
The priority of faith and truth legacy has become especially clear in recent times. Churches concerned about perpetuating biblical truth and faith make solid and deliberate effort to disciple their youth. It cannot be left to chance that they will somehow "get it"; they must be the focus of concentrated training and mentoring. To be negligent in this area is to greatly hinder the propagation of God's truth and work.
Legacy is about much more than deathbed blessings. It is the deliberate transference of the vitality of faith and truth in our lives to our descendants. It's never too soon - or too late - the concern ourselves with this important priority of legacy.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
"He (Jacob) blessed Joseph, and said, 'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." (Genesis 48.15-16)
An elderly man named Jacob (Israel) lay on his deathbed. Before him is a favorite son, and two grandsons. In the waning moments of his life, he lays hands on the two young grandsons and extends both his testimony and his blessings. It is a solemn moment of transferring the legacy of faith in the living God.
Each generation must freely choose whether to embrace of reject the faith handed down. As with Jacob, a blessing can be transferred, but it is ultimately for the descendants to choose whom they will serve. And, their choice will be much influenced by what they have seen in the lives of those closest to them.
What of your legacy? Do you assume certain traits and qualities will be evident and transferred to your children and grandchildren? Are you hoping a good legacy will be transferred, or are you deliberately discipling and training the next generation?
The priority of faith and truth legacy has become especially clear in recent times. Churches concerned about perpetuating biblical truth and faith make solid and deliberate effort to disciple their youth. It cannot be left to chance that they will somehow "get it"; they must be the focus of concentrated training and mentoring. To be negligent in this area is to greatly hinder the propagation of God's truth and work.
Legacy is about much more than deathbed blessings. It is the deliberate transference of the vitality of faith and truth in our lives to our descendants. It's never too soon - or too late - the concern ourselves with this important priority of legacy.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 8:51 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home