Graduating, job interviews, buying one's first house, experiencing failures or success, the passing of loved one, and marriages are all significant moments in each of our lives. Each of the aforementioned are all moments that define our lives, that is, our actions or responses to the events.
Our legacy
In one way or another we all leave behind a legacy when we pass and go on to our greater or lesser reward. Some of us want to be remembered as famous, powerful or wealthy. Others want to remembered as being a good mother or father, a fine writer or an artist, or maybe some of us want to be remembered for our good character and the good we did for others less fortunate for us. Obviously there are a number of other things we would like to leave as our legacy.
Whatever the case, and no matter our income or status in life, we will all leave behind an indelible memory to our families and perhaps others who knew us or heard about us through word of mouth or reading.
People we hold dear
A lot of what we will become will be associated with who we choose to hold close as friends and associates. The adage birds of a feather flock together comes to mind. If we hang out with the party crowd, we will leave a legacy of wanton debauchery and a life wasted. If we choose companions that are community oriented we may well become leaders and pillars of the community or our nation.
The bottom line is the fact that who we associate with throughout our lives with influence what we do and who we become known for in this brief life. Our lives will be remembered here on earth as either good or evil. Some people who do remember won't know the difference because they were our associates. Ironic.
In the end
In the final analysis, what this life all boils down to regarding our legacy is what our actions were when the significant moments came upon us. I submit to you that when the moneys are significant, it is the truth that matters.
We should therefore live our lives in truth and cease from doing evil and instead choose to live a good life. Kindness, helping others and being productive citizens, and the way we loved other people will go a long way towards determining our respective legacies.
God's way
As for me, I choose to be more like Jesus each day. Each of us were made in His image (Genesis 1:26). He values all of us and loves all of us (John 3:16). At the same time, He cannot and will not look upon evil (sin) forever because He is just in all He does, and which one of us can truthfully question His actions and decrees?
Jesus said: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV).
If we live in Him and He in us, we will continue to be conformed to His image, that is, we will imitate His attributes. This does not mean we will look like Him, of course. But I ask you, what better legacy can we leave behind than to be remembered as a disciple of the living God, Jesus of Nazareth?
When the moment is significant, truth matters. Choose Jesus.
At the end of everything, only your Choice to serve Jesus will benefit you