Young people today value transparency. Consequently, they respect others who are not afraid to talk about their weaknesses. This is important to remember as we are creating our own spiritual legacies. Many of us grew up with tremendous respect for those in prominent positions, such as a pastor, teachers, and those older than us. Therefore, we revered men and women of wisdom. Because our grandchildren value transparency, they want role models they can relate to, people who speak their language. As a result, recording our life experiences in a creative way that makes us real will encourage them more than a list of rules.
Ever skim a stone across a pond? The ripples are like the impact of our lives on others. We have no idea how far the circle will extend. When I committed to a spiritual legacy, subsequently my faith grew in the process. Not sure why I was surprised.
Creating a Spiritual Legacy by Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor in Creating a Spiritual Legacy urges us to think about the following:
What have I done in and with my life? What have I learned? What do I value? What is most important in life and how has my answer to that changed over time? When have I been happiest or felt my life had the most meaning? What have I learned the hard way that I want someone else to learn more easily? What can I passon to others that will make their lives better or easier or deeper? What stories capture all this?
We are complex creatures with various:
Values
Beliefs
Insights
Passions
Actions
Life Experiences
Take a few minutes to answer the questions above for yourself on a piece of paper. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments as well if you are comfortable sharing.
If you believe you are not equipped to do this. Remember God won’t set us up to fail at a task that is in His will. We have to be willing to trust Him. When God says He’ll do something. He acts.