Leaving A Legacy

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” - Deuteronomy 30:19-20

This week, my family and I buried our Papaw, Mancel “Mack” McKinney. He started McKinney Excavating in Athens, TN, many years ago, and now my step-dad owns the company and runs it. Papaw passed away January 27, 2013, at 2:36AM. Before the burial process started, we were parked behind the herse waiting for the cop to lead us. As we are waiting, a cop to the left of us pulls out and following that cop car was 15+ McKinney Excavating company trucks….trucks, dump trucks, and a low boy. 

As we were following behind all the company vehicles, I couldn’t help but think about the legacy that Papaw has left. His spirit has gone to be with the Lord, but his legacy will forever live on. 

I think of Elijah and Elisha. Before Elisha became prophet, there had to of been an encounter with God. God tells Elijah to throw his mantle on Elisha. Get this…Elisha was plowing in the field, doing his every day ordinary work, and when the mantle was thrown on him, Scripture says that Elisha “ran” after Elijah. Elisha left everything he ever knew to follow after God. He burnt his past for his future to be successful. 

I think about my life and then I think about the life lessons I have learned from my parents and grandparents. The more I think about it, the more I know that our lives are all about leaving a legacy. Think about it… People are always watching you. People are always listening to you. I don’t know about you, but I want to leave such a legacy for my kids, my youth, my church, and my community. 

We have the ultimate legacy to live by, Jesus Christ. Jesus walked this Earth and died for our sins, not for us to be perfect, but for us to have an example and I want to teach my kids that example. If I don’t show the love of Christ to my wife and kids, then what good have I done in the world? Yes, leaving a legacy is hard, but it’s worth it. Yes, leaving a legacy isn’t always fun, but it will show others how to act like Christ. Papaw’s legacy is one that will forever live on. 

What legacy do you want to leave? Good? Bad? Christ-like? It’s your choice. 

Leave a legacy. Stick to CHRIST. Do not let the world change you…YOU change the world!