Imagine a skilled painter is painting a portrait of you. Every day, a brushstroke or two is added to the portrait that somehow depicts how you lived that day. At the end of your life, with the last brush stroke applied, your portrait is complete.
This portrait is your legacy. It exists in the memories of all those who knew you.
Because I am of a certain age, there are many such portraits in my memories.
There is the memory of the high school friend, a joyful fellow, who died before he graduated when a farm tractor crushed him to death. He left his high school sweetheart and baby too soon.
There is the neighbor friend who joined the Marine Corps. He was so proud to serve his country! The war in Vietnam claimed his life.
Then there is Jerry, my best friend from high school. He was quick-witted with a wry sense of humor and a heart full of love. Cancer claimed his life just a few weeks ago.
I see their legacy clearly in the painting of their life.
We all leave a legacy. The question is, how will the painting of our legacy look in the memories of those who knew us best?
What will we be known for? How will we be remembered?
Will our legacy be of someone who was helpful or harmful?
Paul’s Legacy Examples to Timothy
As Paul instructed Timothy, his young protégé, Paul demonstrated the power of legacy. Paul warned Timothy about people who left a harmful legacy, as well as those who left a helpful legacy.
Harmful Legacy
Paul warned Timothy about several men and women and described how they had hurt him.
- Phygelus and Hermogenes deserted Paul (2 Tim 1:15).
- Hymenaeus & Philetus wandered away from the truth of the Gospel. They infected others like gangrene (2 Tim 2:17).
- Demas deserted Paul (2 Tim 4:10).
- Alexander harmed Paul and actively opposed the Gospel (2 Tim 4:14).
- The crowd of onlookers at Paul’s first trial who stood by and did not support him (2 Tim 4:16).
Paul cautioned Timothy about these men and women because their legacy was harmful to Paul and the Gospel.
Helpful Legacy
There were also several men and women Paul commends to Timothy as people helpful to him and the ministry.
- Lois & Eunice, grandmother, and mother of Timothy. Their sincere faith in God was passed on to Timothy (2 Tim 1:5).
- Onesiphorus searched for Paul in Rome, found him in prison, and helped Paul in many ways. He was a continual source of refreshment to Paul (2 Tim 1:16).
- Luke was loyal throughout Paul’s ministry (2 Tim 4:11).
- Mark and Tychicus were helpful to Paul’s ministry (2 Tim 4:11).
- Priscilla, Aquila, Erastus, Trophimus, Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and the crowd of Christian brothers and sisters were helpful in the spread of the Gospel (2 Tim 4:19-20).
- Regarding Timothy himself, Paul said in his letter to the Philippians that there was no one else like Timothy, whose proven character and care for the people of Christ made him like a son to Paul (Phil 2:20).
Painting Your Legacy
You are not here by accident but by God’s appointment. Every day is an opportunity to live a life that paints a beautiful portrait of your legacy. Let it be a masterpiece of service to God and His people.
Here’s how to paint your legacy masterpiece:
- Live every day so you will be missed for the right reasons. Be missed for your humble nature, kind words, good deeds, congratulatory notes, happiness, and encouraging spirit.
- Do not underestimate the power of a solitary life lived to God’s glory. The unsung “crowd” of behind-the-scenes volunteers who serve in children’s ministry, gardeners, janitors, parking attendants, security, and hundreds of others all serve the Kingdom of God.
We never know when the last stroke of our legacy painting will be made. So, live every day painting a masterpiece!
More Articles
I have written several articles on a leader’s character. You can find them by typing “Character” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #435: How Do Good Leaders Exercise Their Authority in The Service of Others?
- #429: True Leadership Requires More Than Competency and Skill
- #416: 7 Must-Have Skills of Highly Effective Godly Leaders
- #403: Is America On the Same Destructive Path as Babylon?
- #383: 4 Essential Character Traits of Smart Reentry Leaders
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. If the last stroke of your legacy painting is made today, is it the masterpiece you desire?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
“Live every day so you will be missed for the right reasons.” Best advice!
Even as I was writing this article, I kept asking myself, “Will I be missed for the right reasons?” I guess that’s what happens when you get to a “certain age.”