Legacy

As time passes and life happens, we make acquaintances and friends who form a big part of our life, and then they move on, or we move on and the inevitable happens; we lose contact. The impact on our life however does not change or move on when we do. There is a saying that real friends can pick up where they left off, even if the last contact was years ago.

I was reminded of this recently in two ways. In the first way, social media has been a good way to roll back the years, and find ‘old’ friends, and when you start to talk, it is easy to remember why the friendship initially formed and grew, even all those many years ago. The second way is a sad reminder of our mortality, because it comes at a  time of loss. A previous pastor who ministered at our small local church some years ago , passed away this last week, and it made me think of the almost 5 years he, his wife and small growing family shared and spent their lives with us.

Have you ever stopped to think of the best thing we can give to others? For me, it has to be time. Not so much what was done, but simply that time was shared to forge a friendship and leave an imprint which in the fulness of its time becomes a legacy. Pastor Ray was a Yorkshireman, and anyone who knows the county structure of the UK, will also know that the Scots and the ‘Yorkies’ are almost neighbours, and very alike in so many good ways. That also means, in among all the good stuff, lies the same obstinate and stubborn nature (at times). But put us together, and we are united and unstoppable. A great team. Such was the relationship which formed between us personally, and as a church, so when I heard of his passing to Glory, I stopped to remember the good times spent together, the Godly example, strong preaching, wise teaching, and the ordinary, humble family man. Simply put, a Christlike ‘Legacy’.

So, while you are working up a sweat on the treadmill of life, just going round in circles, pause awhile to step off and spend time with those friends and family you love. It will be worth it later on. You may never know in this life how much good you did, but eventually when you go ‘home’ as a Christian, you will. Guaranteed.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV