How Will You Be Remembered?

Oh 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. [These words are in the song "Find Us Faithful," written by John Mohr, and made popular by Steve Green.]

Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.(Hebrews 13:7)

How will you be remembered?

It is interesting to study the books of 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles. There is a brief mention of each King. The account tells us if he did what was good or evil. Something else, however, intrigues me about the accounts. Often, they will refer to one of the King's parents, and say he was like that parent.

The way we live has a profound impact on our children. Our children will most often live what they see us do rather than doing what they hear us say. The heritage and legacy we leave is so important. It will affect those who come after us for generations.

We can see something else in Kings and Chronicles. If the King was really good, he was compared to King David. If he was really bad, he was compared to Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who lead Israel to sin.

How will people refer to you and your name in generations to come. Will it be a good reference? Godly grandparents are so important. If you are one, realize that your prayers and your living example are critical to the generations coming after you. Your intercession and life can have a powerful impact on those who know you. If you are a parent, remember how important your actions and decisions actually are to the future of your children and grandchildren.

Sometimes, like with King Asa in 1 Kings 15, the account will say, "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord ... but the high places were not removed." Are there any "buts" in your life? Let's live all the way for Jesus and get rid of the "buts" in our lives. There is more at stake than just our own short time in history. We have to think about those who are watching us and those who will follow our example for generations to come.

In the years to come, will people mention your name, and say, "Now he or she was a real genuine Christian who walked with the Lord all the days of his or her life." Or will they say, "He or she was saved, but failed ...."

How will you be remembered?

Live your life for Jesus with your future generations in mind.