Leaving a legacy

 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last (John 15:16)
 

Can it really be ten years since the London 2012 Olympics?! For sports lovers, it was a unique summer when the medals flowed for Team GB and our city was showcased to the world. Despite lots of nervousness leading up to the event, transport systems worked well, difficulties with security were overcome and the sun shone much of the time. Strangers even spoke to one another on the tube network! And who can forget Super Saturday, with three GB track and field golds in the space of a crazy 44 minutes.

Much was made at the time of what legacy the Games would leave. There was a particular ambition to Inspire a Generation, a high-profile initiative to encourage young people to fulfil their potential and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. But there were also aspirations to do with things like regeneration, employment, tourism and volunteering. And there’s still much debate about how much these have been fulfilled.
 
Now all these memories got me thinking. What would I like my legacy to be? How would I like others to remember me and how would I like to inspire them to live? As I thought about this and looked around at what others have said, I came across a ten-point list put together by Crystal McDowell, a Christian writer and speaker, of things she would like to be remembered for:

• Joy in the midst of difficulty
• Receiving and giving grace
• Encouraging and inspiring others towards greatness
• Giving time, treasures and energy for kingdom work
• Modelling forgiveness
• Showing unconditional love to family and friends
• Leading and discipling people to Christ
• Hearing and doing God’s word
• Doing good and productive work
• Looking towards my heavenly home. 

I wonder how much this reflects what you hope for? Maybe there are other things you’d add to the list. Maybe, a bit like me, this isn’t something you’ve particularly thought about before.
 
In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes that “measured against eternity, our time on earth is just a blink of an eye, but the consequences of it will last for eternity.” Crystal finishes by saying “Everyone leaves a legacy whether they plan to or not. Everything we say or do leaves the imprint of our lives on those around us. As long as there is breath in your body, there’s an opportunity to leave a rich legacy of hope.” But our days pass quickly, and we’ve already left an imprint. So how would we like to use the rest of our days to reshape and extend this imprint?
 
Lord, thank you for the gift of life and all the opportunities you have given me. Help me to use my time and gifts to be your hands and feet on this earth, displaying a character that’s both honouring to you and points people to you. Amen