Over the past week or so, we have talked a lot about the spiritual walk and the benefits it provides to you during the process. Besides divine insight, knowledge and wisdom enabling you to make the better choices, it also provides you with a sense of peace and stability as you meet the demands of everyday life. That’s priceless and cannot be measured in monetary value. What we have not considered, is the impact on those people you encounter.

On multiple occasions, we have discussed the fact that we must be cognizant that regardless of the amount of time we spend with people we have an opportunity to leave them better or bitter. All our life’s ambition should be to make the people we meet better – either through what we say, how we say it, what we do, how we do it, as well as how we express the motivations behind our talk and actions. Not easy when often we find ourselves frustrated, angry, on the short end of the stick or caught completely out of context with our expressions, words and actions.

So today, I would like you to think about something that most people don’t consider until they attend a friend’s, relative’s, or associate’s funeral. What is the legacy you are creating with your thoughts and actions? A legacy is the impact you are creating with your life that will last beyond your
presence. Yet, we shape and mold that image every day of our lives with every action and reaction. I know that’s kind of a heavy thought, but if it becomes a part of our daily consideration, it will help us moderate our speech and actions. It will temper us and cause us to live out the concept of” “If we judge ourselves, God won’t have to judge us.”

The reason I say this is that when we think of famous people who had an impact on society or history, we often think of monarchs, political and military leaders, people of affluence, business icons, etc. Yet the person that changed the course of history and its dating, more than anyone, was poor, did not come from a famous family, owned no property, never joined a political or social network, and never sought out fame or position. It was His daily walk, His daily words of encouragement and/or truth and His desire to serve His Father that differentiated Him forever.

I know you’ve heard the age-old expression: “it’s the little things that count,” and it’s so very true. The clear majority of everything you do will never be noticed by anyone – except God. Unfortunately, we never know when someone else is looking or when someone will tuck away something that we say and take it as memorable – perhaps even shaping their character and decision making process.

In the same way, simplicity of life is the natural result of profound thought. Keeping our lives uncomplicated and focusing on love will cause us to spend less time needing to judge ourselves. If you read the book of John and his epistles there is a common theme – simplicity and love. So basic, yet so profound. Sadly, like the old 1960’s song says: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love . . . it’s what there’s just too little of.”

Creating a legacy of your life is, well, simple! It relies on an unpretentious and basic lifestyle motivated by love. It should be followed up by our own constant reevaluation process, so others and God will have a minimum amount of stuff available for criticism. Guess that’s why the Bible says to live a simple life.

I know it’s hard to do. I’m reminding myself, as I talk to you.

Love Dad