A split-second escape from a bomb explosion, or coming out alive from a major car accident will make a person seriously ponder about his life. “What if I die instantly? What will be my legacy?

A legacy is something we leave behind for the next generation. It can be material possessions, contribution to knowledge, or society. But a lasting legacy is our good influence to people, whose lives are better off as a result of knowing us. With regards to legacy, there is a wall of difference between values and things  How we treat others is more important than possessions, honor, and knowledge we have accumulated in our earthly life.  

Thus, if we want people to remember us as kind, industrious, dependable and thoughtful, we need to live these virtues day by day. As Maxwell aptly said, “The sum of how you live each day becomes your legacy.” Greenville Kleiser likewise stated: “Your life is like a book. Day by day, your thoughts and acts are being inscribed in your book of life. Hour by hour, the record is being made that must stand for all time. Let it then be said of your book that it is a record of noble purpose, generous service, and work well-done.” 

 We can’t choose the time and manner of our death, but we can decide how we should live. If we seek a right relationship with God, through Christ, He will teach us how to live. Through the Bible, the Lord will be direct us towards righteous living. Then we will know what to prioritize in our lives. 

Knowing why and how we live will give us peace and joy we need as we approach the end of our journey. As Proverbs 10:7  puts it well: “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” By the grace of God, may we be able to leave a legacy that will not fade away.