Today’s Footprint is Tomorrows LEGACY

Genesis 48:  Jacob giving his blessing to Joseph’s sons before dying

Lessons for Living Today:

Everyone wants to leave an honorable legacy.  We often fail to consider that the way we live our lives, our words and deeds, are creating that legacy.  Think back over your grandparent’s lives.  Are there traits you wish to emulate, or things you hope never to do?  How sad to think that future generations might look at the lives we lived and think “boy I sure don’t want to be like great grandma Ellen.”  No, we all want to be remembered with honor and to contribute positively to society, and especially our family.

It takes a conscious effort in living to leave an honorable legacy. In a nutshell, there is no honorable legacy apart from living the Golden Rule—treating others as we wish to be treated.  Or, take that rule a notch higher—treat others as we wish to treat God.  Remember–God takes our treatment of others personally.  We cannot love God that we have not seen and hate another that we do see.  To express hate to another is to express hate to God.  There is no honor in retribution.  The worse of criminals have tried that and look at their sad legacy.

We are all free to choose our own legacy.  Every choice we make contributes to our legacy.  It is made up of who we are and what we do based on our values and beliefs.  As we treat others as we would treat God we are contributing to the betterment of society.  We have opportunities and information that our ancestors did not have.  Their chance at creating an honorable legacy is past.  Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have these moments today.  Yes, we are living out our legacy right now.  We can choose to live in ways that influence and benefit coming generations for eternity.  We can choose to live with eternity’s values in view.

God’s Question: Will your name be honored by your descendants?

God’s Promise: You have free choice as to the legacy you leave.

My Prayer to God:

I praise You for Jesus modeling how to live for others.

I am sorry I have lived far too selfishly.

Thank You for calling me to Your higher road.

Help me live to honor You in all I say and do.