Leave a Legacy - Making a Difference in the Lives that Follow

For this Vision month of September in TCC, we recorded a song "live" written by one of our Trinity members that fitted suitably to the theme of "Build a Lasting Lagacy". And yes, the name of the song is "The Legacy".

I would define it as leaving something behind that blesses others. You die, but your legacy will live on. Essentially, your legacy will outlast you. It'll serve as a reminder that you (Mr/Miss/Mrs/Mdm so-and-so) has ever walked on this earth.

I remembered one fateful day, my primary school science teacher came to the class telling us that she recently signed on a form to donate her organs to any patient who need it at the time of her death. Corneas, kidneys, liver, heart, or anything they find useful and in "working condition" can be harvested so that another human can live as healthily and normal as possible. She told us it's of no use to her anymore when she dies and so it doesn't hurt to give it away. I think the reason she said that was to address the stunned looks on our faces. In our young minds, we just thought it would be terribly painful to remove your body parts, voluntarily or not. I visualized her standing in front of us with holes in her eye sockets. Yucks! The teacher further emphasized that when people die, they can no longer feel pain and their bodies are but empty shells without a soul. Yea, that helps.

What she shared that day left an indelible mark on me today. I think our young hearts were stirred that particular day. Death and organ donation were serious and morbid topics for a bunch of 10 year-olds. Death? It never did crossed our minds. Don't people live happily forever? We were strangely quiet and focussed for once. You can actually sense the heaviness in the classroom air. We feel important that an adult would share something so personal with us. I remembered still thinking about it on my walk home from school. Wow, I've never ponder that long about a classroom lesson. That was the first time I heard anyone doing something so noble and self-sacrificial that is beyond my imagination. The idea is new and it blew us away. No doubt, I had new respect for that teacher since. And seeds are definitely sown.

As I listened to the sermons of leaving a lasting legacy, I was suddenly jolted to memory of this amicable teacher (even though I've forgotten her name... sorry mrs XX!! Her habit of putting her hands on her hip while speaking still linger in my mind). Some snippets about her. Her science garden is a favourite recess time hang-out. Pupils like to fuss around her rabbits and plants. She always loaned out rabbits in her science garden for us to take home. Guess it's to inculcate values of T.L.C for small creatures and tending small pots of plants. As small kids, we always feel big when entrusted with such responsibility. It's a great way to build confidence in the little ones coz grown-ups don't usually trust us with things. So take note, all teachers out there! =D

My science teacher taught me an invaluable lessson on giving beyond myself. You and I were put here on earth to make a contribution. God did not create us in his image to do nothing but sit around on clouds and play harps. He’s not doing that, so why would we ever think of this as a fitting conclusion for us? He created us to share in the ongoing creating and nurturing of his world. We were made in his image to share in his work. We are supposed to do that here on earth, and we will do that in heaven. And we can start today.

The need and capacity to serve was in us from the beginning. Adam was immediately given the job of naming the animals and subduing the earth. This did not change after disobedience took its course and banished him and Eve from the garden; it just got harder to do. Eve was given the job of being his helpmate and that definitely got harder to do! But nonetheless, we all have jobs. Not the job you get paid for, but a job to do in relation to your existence – a job to do in service to those around you.

The more we are conscious of this purpose, the easier it will be to figure out what this job is at any given time. Suffice it to say, it is primarily found in focusing our attention on others. This is in stark contrast to “getting the most out of life,” which has become the modern mantra of a “me” generation. This would be more along the lines of “giving the most out of life.”

Deep down inside, every one of us wants to leave something behind. We want to leave a legacy. We want to be significant. We want an epitaph with substance. God put this desire in us because it is one of our purposes in life.

If your epitaph were written today, what would people write about you?

Who would be better off because of your life?

If you’re anything like me, the answer to that question makes me glad I still have time to change it.

Think today of what you can add to someone’s life, not take away.

Think of leaving situations better than you found them.

Think of whom you can serve – of how this can be a better day for someone because of you. This is important. It’s part of your legacy.

Let’s be careful to give the most out of life today.