Whether it’s at a reunion celebration or a celebration of life service, most of us like to be remembered. In fact, we intentionally plan to be remembered by living a life of legacy that extends beyond our earthly years. While few of us will have large hospitals or libraries bearing our name, we hope to leave a legacy at our work, in our family, and in our church and community. After we’ve gone our legacy is based on our accomplishments, our character and the choices we made. That legacy is influenced largely by how we treat people, especially those who have no chance or power to advance our cause. Jesus said it is how we treat “the least of these” that matters greatly. Relationship are all we take to heaven.
And yet how quickly legacies turn from current memory to forgotten history. Do you remember the surge of national patriotism the days following the 9/11 attacks? And do you remember how quickly the unity dispersed and divisiveness again swept our country? Who will remember the history you experienced? Sacrifices made for just causes, values upheld in the face of persecution, faith in the middle of stormy life events, love and peace amidst the chaos of divisiveness.
The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Some died and others were born in the desert, having no recollection of the miraculous way God rescued them from the Egyptians. They were exiled into Babylon for seventy years. Entire generations lived to be born and die in captivity. They had no personal experience with life “back home.” Only the legacy of faithfulness sustained them in tough times.
When I die, I suppose there will be friends and family who remember me. Hopefully their memories will be ones of kindness, compassion, passion for living well, and other positive attributes. I hope they will carry those same attributes and pass them on as the legacy they leave.
But should we live to be remembered? Is that the primary goal?
Count Zinzendorf was evidently a wealthy religious and social reformer of his 18th century times. His theology was Christ-centered, and he emphasized a “radical” lifestyle of “living for Jesus.” He is quoted to have summarized the goal of life simply as:
“Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”
Live and love with one solitary purpose, to preach the gospel, not only in words but in the harmonious ways Jesus guides our relationships with others. LI’ve, really live all out for Jesus and then die with the goal of being forgotten. Really? Why should be aim to be forgotten? It is so that every bit of pride may be swept away. So that when people remember you, what they really remember is how God moved through your life, how he helped and inspired others through you. It’s the outcome that follow’s John the Baptist’s conclusion that “He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I must become less.” (John 3:30) It is Paul’s message to each of us to consider the interests of others as greater than our own, love without grumbling, and consider everything we do as unto the Lord, for his purpose. (Philippians 2:2-16, Colossians 3:17)
So while our prideful self wants to remembered and our name to be preserved, how much better if what people remember most is God’s goodness revealed in our lives. His ways are higher than our ways and so leaving a legacy of God’s great love is our most prized goal. May your legacy and mine be marked by kindness, strong faith, persistent prayer, compassion for the needy, wholesome laughter, and quality time enjoying time with friends and family. Long after your name and mine are forgotten may the legacy that lives on be one of faith, hope, and love.
Especially love!