what's your legacy?

December 11, 2003

i never realized that the relationship my family had with our next door neighbours (auntie may & uncle gordan) was significant. i'm not trying to belittle it, but we don't spend much time over at each other's house (in fact, yesterday was the first time i've ever been into their home). in fact, the only time we go over to each other's home is when we house sit for one another, which happens very infrequently since i don't like to go on vacations. nonetheless, they are by far the greatest neighbours i've ever had. they are one of the nicest families i've ever met in my life, and they aren't even Christian. i remember one time when uncle gordan decided just to shovel our driveway for us in the early morning, without us even asking him.

our move took less time than we had anticipated, in fact a whole day less. so by tuesday, we were already moved into the new house. i was hoping that i'd get a chance to say goodbye to auntie may, or at least see her one more time before we were completely gone. that happened on tuesday when we returned to the old house to clean things up (it was in quite a bit of mess). and much to my surprise, there were tears in her eyes when she was talking to my mom. and it's not like we're moving that far away, i mean the new house is only approximately 10 minutes away from the old house.

regardless, that got me thinking. in the spheres of influences in my life, are there people who would react the same way if i were to move away or go somewhere afar? that the relationships i've built with them were significant enough to cause such an emotional response as auntie may? taking that deeper, has my influence pointed people to the glory of the blazing Son of God? has my influence caused people to reflect on their lives and question if there is more to life than face value, if there's something deeper? are my actions, thoughts and words reflective of the gospel of Christ to all those around me?

the most lasting and meaningful impact you can have on this earth, is not in power, wealth or fame; it's in people's lives. "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." matthew 6:19-20 [NIV]. since everything on this earth is temporary, nothing we achieve on our merit will be a treasure in heaven. power, wealth and fame are transient. but if we leverage our lives to affect those around us, if we allow God to use us to reflect His glory, if we are on board with the gospel of Christ and have the privilege of participating in such an act, then if someone comes to Christ as a result of the work God is doing through us, those treasures will be ever-lasting. those are the treasures that we can store up in heaven.

i was listening to "the life that leads to why" series by louie giglio at 7:22 a while ago. and at one point, he challenged us that we should be able to list at least one person that we're praying for on a regular basis and such. i don't think i've ever been able to think of someone, until this past year. i've been praying for a friend of mine from school. i believe God has placed a burden on my heart to pray for her. tim, last year, told me that if my life could influence hers in a profound way, if God could use me to lead her to Christ in the four year span of my studies in the york/sheridan program, or at the very least to plant a seed, then it's all worth it, despite the struggles i've faced, despite all that i've encountered so far. four years, for one person. is it worth it? without a doubt, a resounding yes.

what's your legacy? are you leveraging the life God entrusted to you to influence the sphere of people in your life? will people remember the godly life you lead when all is said and done? will you hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant"?

the most lasting and meaningful impact you can have on this earth is in people's lives.