“When I forget the gospel I become dependent on the smiles and evaluation of others.” – Timothy Keller
What motivates you? I’ve been thinking more lately about legacy. Asking myself, ” is what I’m occupied with today is going to leave a lasting result for tomorrow?”. I think it’s a good question to be continually asking ourselves.
I have 8 kids. Lent arrows, potential world changers, massive eaters. Nothing moves me like when I think about my children. Business and ministry efforts pale in comparison to the intrinsic value they hold in my heart. What is the best gift I can give them? I think it’s a legitimate legacy.
This past week a missionary passed away from cancer he caught while living for years in Chernobyl radiation area of Belarus. He knew the risks. He along with his wife and young kids advanced the Kingdom through many amazing avenues, leaving behind a treasure of a legacy. Many lives impacted by his faith and love for others. Most importantly, his children inherited a legacy in their dad of one that believed fully in this life.
I want to run into eternity. I don’t want to limp, or gasp into the next life. I want to throw off the shackles of this flesh and broken world in victory. Too many of us are concerned about what others think. We are, as Tim Keller suggests, more impacted at times by the acceptance of others than the acceptance of God thru the Gospel. This, I believe, incapacitates us from walking in faith toward God, stepping out and trusting Him implicitly – simply because we fear what others might think.
Faith moves God’s heart. He loves to lead us into deep water, to places desolate of clarity or light – teaching us to cling to His hand and trust when logic or natural wisdom seem lost. If we are overwhelmed with what others think in these moments or seasons, we allow fear to dominate our decisions.
Our motivations matter. If we are convinced that Christ crucified has made us completely accepted before God, our legacy will be that of God’s grace through all our efforts. If we are moved by the appraisal of men, our legacy will be limited to things ‘we’ accomplished by the strength of the flesh. It’s who we are, and why we ‘do’ that matters.
God give us an enduring legacy for our children. At home, at work, at play. A legacy that is motivated not in pleasing others, but in gratitude for God’s amazing grace! A legacy of God’s greatness through the Gospel – that He bled and died for a unjust sinner. Thank you God the news is still great!
I have a feeling that if my children are moved by the reality of God’s grace and presence in my life, and not my human accomplishments, I will have given them the greatest gift.
Great to meet with Kyle and Oxona from Kiev YWAM Base – finally got them out to the Lighthouse Cafe to show them what we’ve been up to, and discuss things we could partner together with in the future.