Leaving a Legacy

 One of my students became inspired by two seniors who prayed at their high school graduation. He wanted to do that. My mentor, Al Siebert, gave me a better goal for my student to do. He encouraged me to have my student start a Bible club at school and leave a legacy. My student did, and to this day, over twenty-five years later, the Bible club still exists. His legacy lives on.

I remember and appreciate many of the words of wisdom that Al Siebert gave to those of us who led youth ministries in the Long Beach area in the 1990s. He even continued to mentor me when I moved to Los Angeles until I left youth ministry in 2007. Al Siebert, who worked for Campus Crusade for Christ unintentionally challenged me to leave a legacy instead of a memory.

Even though Al Siebert’s words of wisdom challenged my student, when he gave those words, I longed to leave a legacy. At first, I pined after what would be things of glory and fame. After maturity, I realized that a legacy comes with the use of our gifts, talents, and passions. I also realized that being consistent and being with people brings a legacy to your name.

Leaving a true legacy requires work and passion. It also means we must fulfill God’s purpose. One Sunday at Mosaic Church in Hollywood, Erwin McManus said that you have a desire to get out of the job where you currently work, but God may have you there to fulfill His purpose. I remember that on days when I feel exhausted or frustrated with teaching. In fact, I begin to look for what God has in store for me when things don’t go the way I want them to go.

In our current society, people scream on social media that they have left a legacy with their posts and screaming of their super righteous thinking. Others on social media want fame and believe that it will leave a legacy, but it usually leaves fifteen minutes of fleeting fame. Fame does not build into a legacy. A legacy goes beyond entertainment.

Our social media posts will last forever on the Internet. Do you want them to be your legacy? Could you do more than just post on social media? Can you find a way to connect with people beyond social media? Paul writes in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (CSB) If all your deeds and words begin to glorify God, then you will begin to leave a legacy. We must strive to glorify God.

Reflect on what you do daily. How can you use those tasks to glorify God? The people you serve, must see Jesus. You glorify God when you serve God through people, not serving people just to serve them. It took me decades to understand this. Once I began serving God, I could say, “No,” to tasks that did not bring glory to God but to someone who didn’t want to do the task. The apostle Paul also stated that he would not please people but God. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I am trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10; NIV) God wants us to serve Him and leave a legacy that reveals our love for God so others can come into the presence of God.

You don’t have to do something super large. You just use your talents, gifts and passions to serve those around you. Think of how your gift and talent will impact someone in the future. Your legacy lives within you. It’s time to let it out and share it with others.

One day, a student will enter a Bible club on a campus in a public school in the Long Beach area and meet Jesus. That student never met Al Siebert, but Al Siebert’s thumb print exists all over that club. You never know how your words of wisdom or your gifts and talents will impact someone in the future. Begin to day to find how to leave a legacy.