Leaving a Legacy for our Lord

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:5-8). 

This year I turn 50 (God willing) and will be eligible to become a member of AARP. Please don’t start some morbid celebration because I’m quite sure I won’t join – it seems hypocritical to be a member and not retired and I am not emotionally ready to cope with such a label as “retired” (or even being called a 50 year old – my gracious, that’s half a century). Nevertheless that number – “the big 5 0” – is enough to cause me to pause and ponder the brevity of life and the probability that I’m on the downward side of my stay on this planet. I have no deluded fantasies about riding off into the sunset. That may be because I really can’t ride a horse without expecting injury and major surgery. It also may be that I still believe that I have a legacy to improve upon. Paul finished strong and I want to as well. 

Paul’s encouragement, in his last days, to young Timothy tells me several things that we need to do to be confident that our departure is one of peaceful resignation of a job well done. This reminds me of Jesus’ words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Oh, how I long to hear those words and enter into His happiness. Can we think of anything greater than that?  But that requires faithfulness. Paul says to Timothy, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (verse 5). This means clear, biblical thinking, enduring the trials and challenges of serving Christ, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, and being fully committed and devoted to what God has called you to do. Paul rejoices (v. 7) that he has “kept the faith”. 

Finishing strong for Jesus also means self-denying sacrifice. Paul’s life was ‘poured out” (v. 6), spent completely for the cause of Christ. In other words, he was all used up for the glory of God. There was nothing left in the tank that had not already been consumed in Paul’s obsession with serving his Savior. Paul chose to burn out rather than rust out because his Lord was worth the expenditure of Paul’s’ life itself. Leaving a legacy for our Lord includes fighting the good fight until the end (v. 7). Paul was in a war for his King. It was a war that required endurance until the end no matter the pain or consequences. Soldiers do not quit but press on despite the danger and the obstacles knowing that their great leader will captain them to ultimate and eternal victory (1 John 5:4, I Corinthians 15:57). As Paul nears his departure from this earth he knows that He will be rewarded “on that day”.  

Paul’s motive is unquestionable. It was his love for His Lord and desire to be in His presence. He “longed” for Jesus’ appearing. He was compelled to leave a legacy that demonstrated and magnified the One he both lived for and died to gain (“for me to live is Christ and to die is gain – Philippians 1:21). Paul yearned for the presence of his Savior. And a crown awaits all those with the same passion. 

But for me to have this type of confidence as I near my departure and enter into my Jesus’ presence I must be obsessed with “seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). That was the way Paul was and that was his legacy – faithful to His Jesus, sacrificial in his living, used up for the cause of Christ, and enduring as a warrior until he drew his last breath. Is that my legacy? Is it yours? Will we be able to greet our Savior with such a disposition and resume? In order for me to do so I must finish strong. As I said, I have a legacy to improve upon. I beg that God’s Holy Spirit moves in me in such a profound way that I can complete my race with the same confident attitude as Paul. I pray for the surrender that will allow His power to enable me to finish strong! No matter your age, will you come along with me? For the sake of our Lord and our legacy, will you?