Hezekiah was the son of a wicked king. When he inherited the throne, he dismantled the idols and pagan worship, and reinstituted God’s ways. When the prophet told him he was going to die in three days, he asked God for an extension, in order to complete his assignment. He lived fifteen more years and is remembered for his mission accomplished! Long life is not measured in the longevity of years, but in the legacy left behind.
A legend tells the story of the legacy you will leave for the generations to come. There are five ways to leave a legacy: your words, your works, your wealth, your offspring, and your disciples. Your words will outlive you. What you do, what you sow, and what you give will follow you. If you want long life, ask for it for a reason. How will you be remembered?
Proverbs 3:1, 2
“My son forget not My law; let thy heart keep My commandments: for length of days and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
A legacy may include your last will and testament, those things you have endowed, imparted, or given, and the reputation by which you will be remembered. People will either be remembered for the problems they create, the problems they solve, or both.
- Think about the legacy left by the following people: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Theresa, Benedict Arnold, Walt Disney, Marilyn Monroe, Col. Sanders, Howard Stern…Jesus Christ… What legacy are you leaving?
- Invest time and energy into disciplining others who will continue your passion and calling. Someone said, “Success without a successor is not success.”
- Make every day a “holy day” and you will access its potential. Live your life for others and you will never be forgotten by those whose life you touch. Your life will become a legend worth remembering.
“…Live one day at a time.” Matthew 6:34 (TLB)
