Legacy

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Tim 1:3-5

            What do you think about when you think of the term legacy? You may think of historical figures in this nation. You may think about different organizations that have stood the test of time. When you think about yourself? Do you associate this word with your life? This is certainly a struggle for many as they go through life and make decisions. Sometimes this struggle is more often associated with failure than success. This can lead us to question just what kind of legacy we might leave.

            I write to you to call to mind the only legacy that eternally matters. A legacy of faith in Jesus. When Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:3-5, Paul began by speaking on a legacy. Timothy was a young evangelist who was doing the Lord's work, and Paul pointed out that he remembered his unfeigned or genuine faith. He further pointed out that this faith was not accidental but developed as part of the legacy of his family. His grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, had a genuine faith as their foundation—something real, something that is seen, and lived out. This made a difference for a young preacher as he grew in the Lord.

            Some of you reading this are questioning what kind of legacy you are leaving. For what will you be remembered? In a time such as this, we may question this even more when there seems to be more bad news than good and where the year for which many of us had high hopes made those hopes take a backseat to COVID-19, social unrest, and the complications of such.

            This does not have to stifle the only legacy that matters—a legacy that can have lasting effects long after you are gone. The legacy of faith that you start now changes your destination, and the example you show to your friends and family can change theirs. We put this publication out because we care about your legacy, and we care deeply about your soul as none of us are guaranteed another moment to change our legacy. James wrote, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. (cf. Jam 4:14)

            While you still have time to make a change, we humbly invite you to join us. We want to walk alongside you and work together to fulfill what God has planned for man. We want to see healing in our families and our communities, and we know this is only possible in a right relationship with Christ.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

*This article will be included in the November issue of House to House Heart to Heart that will be going out to many households here in Grove.