A Legacy That Lasts

A few years ago, my family was on a transcontinental flight when the plane hit a pocket of air that caused a sudden drop. One moment, virtually everyone on the overnight flight was sleeping soundly, and the next, there was a thump. We had a loss of altitude that briefly lifted us from our seats. Along with a few screams, a suitcase dramatically dropped from the overhead bin into the aisle right next to me. No one was hurt, but it was enough to remind everyone on board of something we often don’t like to think about: we have very little control over the conditions around us. It could be a diagnosis or a job loss. Unexpected conflict, a global event, or a disappointing personal outcome that changes everything. We make plans, set goals, and build careers, yet every so often we’re reminded that many of the things we depend on are more fragile than we realized. 

I can relate to that even more personally as my mom died suddenly just over two months ago. I think about her life on a scale far beyond her daily routines and challenges of her most recent days. Her legacy is not about achievements or the story of her life; it’s about her steady faith in the unconditional love of God and her desire to share that love with everyone. Our family relationships have healed in many ways, as we let go of things that used to cause offence. In light of what she left us, what we know she valued, things that seemed so pressing have faded as we face simple questions about what lasts. What really matters most? What kind of legacy are we building? 
The writer of Hebrews gives us a powerful perspective: 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28) 

Can you imagine a kingdom that cannot be shaken? In a world where everything seems temporary, God invites us to invest our lives in something eternal. Throughout history, kingdoms rise and fall. Empires that once appeared unstoppable now exist only in books. Many of the things we work hardest to build eventually disappear, yet God’s kingdom remains. 

When Jesus came, He wasn’t simply offering people a better life. He was inviting them into an eternal kingdom with an invitation to build our lives on truth, grace, and the unchanging love of God. Every day we live for Jesus, we participate in something that will outlast us. Heaven measures legacy by generosity, words of encouragement, boldness to share Jesus, and acts of service. This is so different from how the world often measures legacy by things that fade so quickly after a funeral: accomplishments, possessions, and recognition. 

Jesus talked about seeds many times; in fact, He said “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24). Here’s the thing about seeds: they are usually small and spend much of their existence hidden beneath the surface. The powerful thing about them is that they carry the potential for a future harvest. In the same way, an unshakable legacy is often like planting seeds. We may never fully see the impact of our faithfulness on this side of eternity, but God uses ordinary acts of obedience to create eternal impact. My mom planted seeds every day in her care for others and her unshakable trust that God had every day of her life in His hands. 

When I think about my mom, I don’t think about achievements. I remember her love and how she prayed for me. Her generosity and hospitality shone in a way that could only have come from God. She modeled what it looks like to follow Jesus through both victories and challenges. She taught me to be honest, both in my interpersonal dealings and before God. Her legacy continues because she invested in something that lasts by pointing us to Jesus. 

That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave.