A recent conversation with a friend reminded me that over the years I've become aware of the desire that many people have to leave a legacy. I don't mean this in a financial way, but more in the way of what people leave behind of themselves in terms of reputation or influence. Politicians seem particularly concerned about this. So we hear about the legacy left by Margaret Thatcher or speculation on what kind of legacy Donald Trump will leave behind. Politicians speak of securing a legacy. Obviously a Prime Minister or a President have made a name for themselves in life, but how is that going to continue when they are no longer alive?
Talk of a legacy also surfaces among Christians. I hear statements like; 'he'll leave behind a wonderful legacy'. Now, I have no objection to this as such. Clearly there are Christian leaders who do leave a great legacy in terms of an influence that helpfully continues long after their death. So, a very obvious example would be the renowned Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon. He died more than a century ago, but Believers are still reading his sermons, some preachers are still preaching his sermons (!), a number of his books still have wide circulation, his biographies continue to inspire and personally I spent 4 years in theological studies in the College which he founded. His book, Lectures to My Students, addressed to early attendees of his College remains a classic. That's quite a legacy! I could name Christian leaders today, male and female, who I think will definitely leave a legacy when they have gone. Hurrah for that!
On the other hand I've quite often talked to those who feel distressed that they've really done nothing as a Christian and won't leave anything behind to be remembered. They may not use the word 'legacy' but there can easily be in all of us a desire to make our name known to some extent and to leave something behind. Of course we live at a time when people are encouraged to dream of success. I sometimes feel the emptiness of this when an athlete, for example, wins a gold medal at the Olympics and genuinely wanting to motivate others declares that their success goes to prove that anybody who is determined enough can achieve what they have done. That is factually impossible if you think about it. Almost everyone could try to their utmost and never achieve such a gold medal. I believe as Christians we shouldn't be anxious to make a name for ourselves or even be concerned about leaving a legacy at all. What all of us can do and should do is make a contribution.
Recently I read a Tweet that really spoke to me. It said, 'Preach the Gospel; Die; Be Forgotten.' Basically I think that is a more noble approach than a desire to make a name for ourselves and it is something that all of us can achieve. Not necessarily actually to preach, but to make a contribution and then be content to die and be forgotten. So in our churches we have multitudes of people who have 'only' taught Sunday school, or played in the church band, or stewarded on a Sunday morning, or regularly met with the church in prayer, or who have given generously, or who have been great encouragers, or.... They haven't 'made a name for themselves' and they aren't going to leave a legacy, but they have made a contribution which is probably valuable beyond any way they can reckon it. Anyway we are all members of the Body of Christ and Paul urges us to make use of what God has given us by the Spirit, and so we can all make a contribution. I think the worst thing is to do nothing while we wait for an opportunity. We can all make a contribution now.
I've often said that if no one remembers any sermon I've ever preached but they could say of me that I was faithful to my wife, that I loved my children and that I never cheated on the Church I would would be content with that. But I have preached and at the time made my contribution. I'm not really seeking to leave a legacy but to be content to die and be forgotten, but then I will be with Jesus. It's his name that will always be known, his success that will be sung about and celebrated. It's his achievements that will catch us up forever with him and that will be all we need for all eternity.
We can make our contribution now while we have the opportunity and not worry about our name or our legacy.