Posted by
Virginia Daddy on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:40:43 PM
This is very much an off the cuff post...
But what is the most important thing someone can leave behind? Is it something material? Is it a building? A foundation? A scholarship? SImple memories? An organization?
To all of these, yes, but no.
There is one thing that we all leave behind, whether we like it or not. Some of us are lucky enough to have a building named after us or to create some foundation or whatever. Most of us are not. We, though, do build relationships and influence others we come into contact with. This is true no matter what.
It does not matter how much money or how much power we hold. We all leave something behind for others. We should all strive to leave behind a better world than it was when we entered it, and we all play a part in its future.
That is why it is of utmost importance to above all else strive to leave behind a positive and fruitful heritage. We should all look to bring the best out of those around us and leave something better in them than before they met you.
Doing this is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do in our world-- no one seems to care about leaving behind a positive and lasting heritage. They only care about leaving a legacy of greatness for themself. That is what is taught through popular culture and through politics these days: its about power and prestige.
The trouble with that is that power and prestige do not last, worse, the corrode others. It does so by spreading the message that it is only the self that matters. Leaving a positive and lasting heritage, inspiring others to be better people is the best thing we can leave behind. This is true because a heritage is a tradition that defines a group, and if we look to make a difference for others-- not ourselves-- we leave a positive heritage.
I am not talking about idealistic causes. I am talking about staring with your family, friends, co-workers. When you leave, they should miss you and try to carry on the lifestyle you led in their presence. Your heritage is best defined by Christ. He is the ultimate example. You should wash everyone's feet, even if you have buildings named after you. If you don't, perhaps you will inspire someone who will have several buildings named after him or her in the future...
Our life is not about us-- it is about making those around us better. In dong so, we make the world a better place.