Too often we define our lives through big moments.
When we define our lives through big moments, our lives look a lot like this:
I’m a follower of a Jesus.
I’m married to Amanda.
I’m Adahlae and Klayton’s dad.
I graduated from South Stanly High School and Lee University.
I’m the Lead Pastor at Vortex Church in Albemarle, NC.
The problem with that sort of perspective is that big moments are one of two things: either the culmination of a journey or the start of a new one.
I’m pretty sure that we think about our legacy a lot like we think about life: we think our legacy will be found in the big moments.
That’s not true.
I have a friend who, as a single mom of four, worked two jobs for four years to put herself through college so that she could open the door to a better life for her little family.
Her graduation was a big moment. It was not her legacy, though.
For four years her kids saw her make sacrifices, stay up late to study just to get up early with them, learn to say ‘no’ to unnecessary expenses, work hard at her jobs just to come home and work harder, and simply pour her life out for them.
That was her legacy. What a profound legacy to give a child.
You see… we’re building our legacy right now.
Moments add up to become monuments. Life happens in the moment, and it’s in those moments that our legacy is forged.
So, what are you doing with right now?
It’s an important question to ask, because what you’re doing right now is something quite special: it’s called life. Life is active; it’s the culmination of the choices that you’re making. Let’s be honest about it too… we don’t want a life that’s just Netflix and naps. We want a life that’s significant, one that makes a difference.
Whatever you spend your time on, is what you’re buying to make a life with, and your life is being spent to purchase your legacy.
As the Apostle Paul approached the end of his life, these words expressed his understanding the life he had lived was turning into a legacy…
“I am already being poured out like a offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8
It’s my hope that through Jesus, we’ll all live lives that purchase that kind of legacy.
It all starts right now…
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What’s the legacy your life is purchasing now? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.