I think legacy is a great word but it is also a word that is not commonly used anymore. In the past this word meant more than what it means now, it was similar to destiny and purpose. Legacy is still important in some cultures but in the past, in biblical times for example, a son was supposed to follow his father's business -if he was not chosen by a Rabi to follow him- that's why Jesus was a carpenter, because his father himself was one. Legacy meant everything to a whole tribe in the Israelite people, the Levites. The Levites where the only people in the whole earth who could minister to God. Different people in the Bible received promises for their legacy. David for example; he was promised that he would always have a descendant as a king and that the Messiah was going to be born of his linage.
I think all this made life a little simpler, you didn't really have to be guessing much "What am I going to do when I grow up?" And maybe not many people went through that middle life crisis either. Nowadays what we might hear is the expression "family business".
It is certain that we carry in our genes the mark of our ancestors, so most likely if your grandfather or father were good in sports, you might as well be good in them, or maybe they had that tact for doing business for which your family is known, or to care for others, to lead or to plan, to be patient and also those things we're not really too proud that they have been passed to us as well. It is also true that one person can change his legacy too, like we have seen in movies maybe, A Knight's Tale for example, where a plebeian boy becomes a noble knight. But my focus this time is on those things that define our calling for our life. What's your legacy? What has your family been known for? Good cooks, musicians, entrepreneurs, good speakers...? What is your legacy? I think it would be good to check that out.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about this, especially decisions I want to take in my life, where to focus my time, gifts and passions. I really hit me to know what's been going in my family, my ancestors; let me share a bit. I usually told I am -physically and personality wise- more like the family on my mom's side, so I decided to pay more attention to that side of my family. My grandmother, who passed away a year and a half ago was a teacher, and so were most of her siblings. My mom wanted to be one as well but she told me she chose to be a public accountant for economical reasons -It seems teaching has never been well paid haha- Most of the people who know me know that I'm into music and the wife of one of my pastors was asking my dad where did that come from, he really didn't know! haha. No one in my family is has been an outstanding musician, all I know is one of my uncles wrote a song that is still played in a local radio station as one of those oldies haha. One of my grandma's brother's -which would be like a grandfather-uncle if that exists but that's what they call them here- caught my attention. He used to be a policeman but he was also an alcoholic until he came to know about God. His life had a real change, he stop drinking and he became a pastor. I think he founded a couple of churches and just wish my grandma was alive to know more about him now. My grandmother also founded a church in this city -which is still running- founded the woman's ministry there and she was part of that same church until the day she went to be with the Lord.
There are three things I'm really passionate about: people -which includes teaching and leadership- music and ministry -the cause of the local church. I think I am in the right path by looking at my legacy, it's definitely amazing to look at it from this perspective. Of course I'm not denying my individuality and freedom to be myself but I can't deny my legacy which confirms what makes my heart be glad. There are some things still undefined and steps I need to take but my path is being more and more clear.
What's your legacy? What has your family been known for? Are you following it? A more import question maybe, What's in your heart? What makes you come alive? Does your legacy and what's in your heart make sense?
