Find Us Faithful
One of my favorite songs has these words that so inspire me:
“We’re pilgrims on a narrow journey of the narrow road. Let us run the race not only for the prize but for those who have gone before us. Let us leave to those behind us, the heritage of faithfulness passed on thru godly lives. May the fire of our devotion light their way, may the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey. May all who come behind us find us faithful.”
So much is contained in these words.
Leaving behind a legacy of a Christ-centered life that will inspire others with Jesus’s love is something that God’s word asks us to do. How will others know about our faith if we do not talk about it and live it? We learn by watching how Jesus did it.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:29-30, “Walk with Me and work with Me. Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you will learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message) In 1 Peter 3:15 we are reminded to do the following, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But always do this with gentleness and respect.” (AMP)
What is the legacy that we want to leave behind?
- Is it a story filled with God’s provision and love that changed our lives for eternity?
- A story of how Jesus sacrificed His life in place of our lives so that we can be called children of God?
- Are we painting the picture of what it looks like to walk with our personal God?
God promises us throughout scripture that He will teach us whatever we need to learn but we must spend personal time with Him to learn all about this amazing relationship He wants to have with us. In Psalm 32:8 God tells us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (NIV) What a beautiful promise.
Those around us:
- our families
- our co-workers
- our friends
- our acquaintances
may never know about our Jesus if we are not living in the light so that they are attracted to it. They will never know our faith stories unless we are prepared to share when people ask about the hope within us. We can then tell them about our Jesus and how our personal relationship with Him changes us forever.
May our legacy be our faith stories that leads others to believe and the lives we live inspire others to obey.
NOM