What’s YOUR Legacy going to be?

We're each building our own legacy. It just depends on how we build it which will determine what it's going to look like and whether or not it will last. 

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul talks a lot about the idea of "planting seeds" and "building" - that we are all affecting the people around us in one way or another - intentionally or not. Referring to himself and Apollos, Paul said that we are "only servants through whom you (Corinthians) came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. For we are God's fellow workers: you (Corinthians) are God's field, God's building."               1 Cor. 3:5-6

Paul and Apollos were building their legacy. They were leading people to Jesus and then helping them to grow in their faith. They were "God's fellow workers" planting a field, building a building - and when they were gone, that field, that building - those things were their legacy.

He goes on... "But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day (of judgement) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work." 1 Cor. 3:10b-13

So he's saying to be careful about how we "build our building" (legacy). The most important part is the foundation right? So our goal is to build (buildings) legacies with a foundation which is centered on Jesus. How? As we are planting seeds and building into people's lives, our own lives must be centered on Jesus. This way, the things we add into other people's lives will reflect that. Because in the end, the "quality of each person's work" (their legacy) is going to be tested - and all the other "stuff" of the world (which often gets more of the focus when people talk about their legacy) will be gone. Only that which was centered on Jesus will remain!

Now, look at what Paul says in 1 Cor. 4:15b-17: "...for in Christ Jesus I became your father (again, to the Corinthians) through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to IMITATE ME. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."

So, how do you build a legacy centered on Jesus? YOU have to be centered on Jesus yourself. Could you tell someone, "Hey if you want to know how to follow Jesus, just imitate me. Do what I do." What a challenge. And even more so, are there people who you are intentionally investing in (discipling, mentoring) that you could say like Paul did, "Sorry I can't come to you but don't worry, I'm sending you someone (whom I love) that when you meet him, he's going to remind you so much of the way I live my life in Christ that you can just imitate him and it'll be just as good". 

So, do you have disciples (people you are intentionally investing in)? And when people meet your disciples, do they remind them of you? And is that a good thing? Is it centered on Jesus? How are you building? What are you planting?

Let's keep thinking and talking about this idea of living a life centered on Jesus so that we can build a legacy centered on Jesus.