I have been reading through the gospels about the crucifixion as I prepare Sunday School sermons leading up to Easter. Yesterday and today, I spent quite a bit of time reading through the chapters in the gospels leading up to the point where Christ died.
I admit, it is incredibly hard to get through the story. I continually see an innocent man wrongly accused, political maneuvering, and tragic circumstances.
I love the change in the story as it moves from an innocent death to a realization that this death, this sacrifice, really is the Son of God giving up his life for others.
As it turns upside down, love and grace win. Jesus is the beautiful sacrifice. His legacy is love, eternal life, good triumphing over evil, love winning over legalism.
And it got me thinking about legacy. What do I want my legacy to be?
I hope and pray my legacy to those around me will be a life that brings others into their own God-given grace. I hope that the power of grace that lives in me will encourage and help others to live out their own stories of grace and compassion. My story leads into other stories of how God changes lives and how those lives change others.
I believe that part of my legacy is in the words that I write so, here are some words to think about that I hope will encourage loved ones.
Live in Jesus. Walk your road with Him. Dance to music, cry with Him, learn from Him, be with him. Tell others about him.
Every day, every year that I know Him, He gets better. He gets better because I know more surely for who he is.
Jesus satisfies. His way brings peace and His love brings healing. Never allow circumstances to overshadow this reality.
Celebrate life, every day, as often as you can.
He has planted sunrises and had the sun set to remind you and I that He is there at the beginning of the day and at the end.
When your burdens are heavy, He has your back and your front.
Don't waste time in the guilt of never being good enough. He is good enough, and your nearness to Him makes you good too.
Give grace to everyone you meet. Bitterness kills the mind and soul.
Don't take on the anger and guilt of others. Just wait patiently for darkness to pass.
Remember that I am praying for you, believing in you, thanking God for you. The story of our lives together will be told forever throughout eternity.
Show others the love and grace of Jesus, and then, when hearts are open, tell them about how they may know Him.
Teach your children and other children about Him every day and live with integrity in front of them because you are the first Bible they will ever read. You and I can pass on His messages and righteousness from one generation to another.
Whatever you do, do it for God's glory. Create music, write books, cook meals, plant flowers, build websites. Do whatever God has gifted you to do. Use all that you have for his glory.
Like Paul, at the end, I want to say that I have fought the good fight and finished the course set out for me. It is a privilege to be able to walk hand in hand with Him everyday and to be a part of His Kingdom.
Dark tests do come, but remember they are temporary. He left us His peace, and He reminded us to take courage.
Take courage. Hold fast. This trial will pass soon enough, and you will have an amazing story to tell.
Think of the feasting that is to come in heaven. Hold on to that in all trials. In the end, there is a party, a great feast, a beautiful rousing of other believers telling their stories of how HE changed it all. We will break the bread, drink the wine, celebrate His presence.
Believe and celebrate.
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