Legacy

6 Seasons and a Movie

I remember in 2012, my wife, Beka and I began watching the show "Arrow". The show drew us in so quickly, we watched the first season within a week. From that we found ourselves drawn into this world expanded into The Flash, Supergirl, Legends Of Tomorrow, and 4 more seasons of Arrow (not all good...Olicity was introduced). 

This year's theme for Arrow stood out to me. The makers said it would be about Oliver Queen's Legacy. After 4 years of being the Green Arrow, what legacy is Oliver Queen leaving on the world.

This is a question I've found myself pondering. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the ending of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one. It allows us to reminisce and ask the questions that have subconsciously been lingering. That question is "what legacy am I leaving"?

The Legacy of Man

I think we often think about the impressions we leave on people. Anyone who is a human being probably constantly thinks about what others think of them. This, like many other things, is a double edge sword. We can either make it all about us or choose to make it about something more. For me that's to hopefully show Christ.

I believe legacies are important because what we leave behind can reflect Christ. It makes me think of people in the Bible. For instance, in Hebrews 11, it talks about men and women of faith. The part that stands out to me is when talking about Abraham being told to sacrifice his son (which will get you arrested now... so don't do that) that Abraham embraced the promises of God thinking that God would raise the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Just think about it. Through the Holy Spirit, who is God, the author commends Abraham on his faith. He is going to be remembered as the man who was willing to give his greatest possession to please God. 

Now obviously I don't necessarily want to be remembered for almost sacrificing my child. Yet I wold like to leave a legacy where God leaves a lasting impression on the lives around me. 

All that you leave behind

As a Christian, I believe we are to leave a lasting impression on people. They are to see love that we have been given. We need to really live life. I believe Jon Foreman states it like this " Life is short, I want to live it well".

To live our lives well, it starts with perspective. Donald Miller states in his book Thousand Miles in A Million Years, " When something happens to you, you have two choices in how you will deal with it. You can get bitter or better". 

The start of a good legacy, is not letting trials make us bitter. It's easier to live in defeat. It's easy to look at the task ahead and see the mountain you have to climb. We are constantly looking at the mountains and not looking at our guide. 

Legacies are built on our willingness to trust our guide. Look at our boy Abe. In the midst of losing the one thing he loved more than himself, he was willing to give it up because he understood God makes good on his promises. That's where I want to be. I want to be able to understand that God will provide in order to bring glory to his name. I want to be able to be a testimony to others to endure to see the promises of God fulfilled.

The finish line...

At the end of the Apostle Paul's life, he wrote this letter to Timothy, stating "

For I am already being poured out like a drink 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—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

Paul is essentially stating that his life is done. His work is done. He states that he will receive his prize for the work. Yet he doesn't focus on himself but the fact that all those who long for the Lord's appearance. Paul endured the trails of life, and now is remembered for his work.

As I leave Long Island, I hope that my life reflected Christ. I hope that at the end of the day, I will be remembered as someone who strived to show the love of Christ. I may have struggled, but I pray my endurance paid off.

I not only hope this for my short time on the Island but my life. I hope that all my interactions leave the legacy of hope, love, and mercy. Life is so short. I want to make sure that I leave this world with the legacy that I loved God. I hope I live my life well.