Alfred Nobel got a chance at something most of us-possibly all of us-never do.
One morning Alfred Nobel was reading the newspaper and he was shocked to find his name listed in the obituary. It was obviously a mistake. He was even more stunned to read that he was being remembered as the man responsible for dynamite. In that time period, dynamite was mainly used for war.
As a result of reading that, he determined to change what he would be remembered for. He committed himself to world peace (a never-ending, daunting, and impossible task if you ask me), and established what became known as the Nobel Peace Prize. Mention his name today and dynamite will not be the first thing on the lips, if mentioned at all.
As I said earlier, he got a chance to do something very few, if any of us, get to do. He changed the course of what he was known for in mid-stream.
The truth is all of us will be known for something. Hatred. Bigotry. Kindness. Peace. Love. Good attitude. Surliness. Selfishness. Big heart. Generosity. (You can add more).
It’s called a legacy. Someday we will have to stand before God-who is a righteous Judge-and give an account to Him of our lives. And while what others think of us down here on earth will not affect that, it behooves us to consider the kind of legacy we want to leave behind.
What will your obituary say and how will your friends and family and co-workers remember you?
Great reminder, Bill. As I get older I see more clearly the truth that we all leave a legacy. The good news is that even the choices we have made in the past that weren’t the best and we wish we could erase from everyone’s memories, with Jesus’ help we can make a turnaround. My Granny Warnick is the perfect example. She came to know Jesus in her 60’s and He completely transformed her legacy! You can read about it here. https://2encourage.blogspot.com/2019/10/asgranny-warnick-lovingly-rubbed-her.html
Thanks for the comment Pam! I’ll be sure and check out that blog on your Granny Warnick.
I don’t expect a large number of people to remember me at the end of my time here on earth… My hope is that any influence that I have had will carry through to the next generation. My hope is that my time on this earth has at least made a positive imprint. I know God does not hold a balance of good vs bad in regards to my salvation as I once believed. However, I do hope that my positive actions will out weigh any negative actions and that at the end of my life here, that there will be some that have come to know the love of Jesus through some level of interaction that I have had with them.
I also do not believe in a balance of good vs evil in God’s eyes. My hope also is to leave behind an imprint (if I can use that word) on someone’s soul that I loved Jesus and followed Him as fully as I could.
Deep question for a monday morning. No matter how nice of things that people may or may not say, if my love for Christ, and my life did not reflect that to those that know me, than I have failed and my life was wasted. I would hope that those that knew me, knew how much I was looking forward to heaven. The only legacy I want to leave, should point to Christ and how He changed my life. I need to check with some people to make sure that is how I am perceived.
Didn’t mean to be so deep. 🙂 But I do agree with you Gail. I would hope those that knew me knew I loved Jesus and He changed me radically.
Thanks Pam for sharing your blog, very encouraging. May Christ be in in our lives so faithfully, that everything we do and think reflects our Savior’s love.
I’ll pass this on Gail. I have not yet had a chance to read it since my day was super busy.
God is the Lord of second chances (and third and fourth and . . .). But why waste time? Let’s take the opportunity today to examine our legacy and determine which direction we want to take to honor God and His glory.
Blessings, Bill!
Sorry it took me so long to get back with you, but we were traveling all day from St. Simon’s to home. Boy, do I have some great photos to share!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Martha…no matter the time. As it was, I also was out of the office most of the day. Staff meeting in the morning, then the Y, then traveling to another city to get my truck which was being serviced since last Friday. I got home too late to comment or read. Look forward to seeing those pictures.