Bob pierce, founder of World Vision, once said, “One man cannot do it all, but one man with a lifetime can be enough of an example to have someone follow in his footsteps.”

We have the opportunity to the impact our communities and to consider what we are leaving behind us. Many others will inherit the results of our decisions and ministry efforts, just as we received a similar gift from those who went this way before us. So it is important to pause and ask ourselves, “What legacy are we leaving in the wake of our ministry?”

The Word of God tells us in 1 Peter 2:9, that we are a, “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” God gives us the opportunity to impart this reality to our children and grandchildren, to those we disciple in the faith and even to the community we serve. In all humility, we recognize that we are where we are by the grace and mercy of God. Being chosen is not a sign of our worthiness; rather it is a testimony to the faithfulness and love of God.

Nevertheless, since it is God who chose us and called us a holy nation of priests and kings, we ought to live as God sees us and be the example we were called to be. We ought never to settle for less than God’s very best for our lives and we should always strive for excellence, doing everything as unto the Lord. Our life and ministry is a representation of the kingdom and we should rejoice in the beauty of who God makes us to be, and we should instill that identity in all those who follow us in the faith. Our legacy should declare the joy of the Lord and the beauty of His holiness.

There is, what has become a classic contemporary Christian song by Steve Green that says:

May all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
(Copyright 1988 Birdwing Music/Jonathan Mark Music (admin. By The Sparrow Corp.))

Indeed, we want to be faithful as we follow Jesus and show others the way. We want those who follow us in the faith to learn from our mistakes and even more from our example as we point toward the One who calls us to Himself.

Never forget who you are in Christ, and do not lose sight of those who are running the race behind you. Keep on following Christ through the heritage of those who have gone ahead of you, and be a shining example to those who are looking to you that you may, “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”