A Lasting Legacy
While my grandmother is no longer with us, there is a little church building that speaks of her memory
Reference: Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. (Acts 9:39 NIV)
Explore: When my grandmother moved her family to a small area in the western district of Victoria, there were very few churches in the region. When the old betting shed came up for sale she assisted their church to buy it so they could start their own congregation.
They relocated it to a property in town and started using it for worship services. As time went on they added a back room and a walkway around the whole building.
35 years later the building is still there hosting a regular Sunday worship service for a number of faithful families. Every time I go back to this church, which provided me with the foundations of my faith, I marvel that this simple building was transformed from a place of gambling to a house of glory.
Application: While my grandmother is no longer with us, there is a little church building that speaks of her memory. It is clear to see that she has had a lasting impact, even after her death.
In Acts, when a lady called Dorcas died, those who mourned her passing showed the clothing that she had cleverly made. Although she had passed away, there was something significant she had left behind – physical garments as well as people who she had clearly influenced.
It’s a big question for us to consider when we think about what kind of legacy we would leave behind. It may not be a tangible item, like a building or some clothing, but what impact are you making on the world today that will remain after you’ve gone?
We can get so busy and preoccupied with our own little worlds, but let’s not just live our lives to fulfil our own needs. You can have a great impact in our world; when you find out how, commit yourself to seeing it through.
Prayer: Lord, no one made a greater impact on our world than You. May we follow Your life, like a template, so that we can continue the impact You desire for those whom You love. Amen.
What kind of legacy will you leave behind?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.