Leaving a Legacy

An unsavoury character passed away and a eulogy was delivered by a pastor who’d never met him. Hoping to comfort the family the reverend got carried away, describing the departed as a caring son, a dedicated father and a loving husband. After the service the widow nudged their son and said, “Go up to the coffin and make sure it’s your father he’s talking about!”

If your life was measured by its donation instead of its duration, how would people remember you?

D James Kennedy wrote: “Consider the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the world’s most massive structures. Someone built it as a memorial to himself…King Khufu, not exactly a household name! Emperor Shah Jehan built the Taj Mahal as a tribute to his wife, yet he too built in vain; after all who knows the name of Mumtaz? While these people are all forgotten, we can make a permanent imprint on the world. God placed a desire in our hearts for significance and permanence.” In Ecclesiastes it says “God has set eternity in the heart of mankind.”

So how can we make a name for ourselves for eternity? Or in another image that the Bible uses … what ensures that our names will be found in the book of life?

The answer is “accept and love”. Accept God’s friendship as a free gift and love Him and others.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain