What Is Your Legacy?
A reflection by Tahlia Watt
College Vice Captain – Year 12
In 2022, I went on a youth camp to Phillip Island. It was day 4 of 5 and I was exhausted. I didn’t get any sleep and I was probably one bad camp meal away from having a crisis. That morning though, my small group went off to the morning session and one of the pastors gave a message that I haven’t stopped thinking about. She encouraged us to consider ‘what four words we want to be remembered by’.
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Hall of Faith, as it lists the many people in the Bible who demonstrated remarkable faith in God and as such, are celebrated for the impact they had on the world. Abraham, for example, is known as the father of the nation of Israel. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God. Rahab demonstrated great faith in God by protecting the Israelite spies and aiding them in their mission to conquer Jericho.
What is notable about these individuals is that their faith was not merely theoretical but was demonstrated through their actions. They left a lasting impact through their faith, character, and actions which inspired generations to come to follow their example and trust in God.
Although we may not be biblical heroes, the Bible teaches us the value of making a positive impact with our lives. Positive thinking sounds useful on the surface, as most of us would prefer to be positive rather than negative. But positive thinking is also a soft and fluffy term that is easy to dismiss. In the real world, it rarely carries the same weight as the words like work ethic or persistence.
In Matthew 5:14-16 we read
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
This passage reminds us that we can be a positive influence and should live our lives in a way that reflects love, grace, integrity and compassion. When we live this way, our light extends beyond our individual self, as no lamp is lit merely for its own benefit.
Our impact, or light, can’t be disguised or hidden and we are all equipped with this ability to leave a positive legacy. We can be the light and warm people’s hearts. The impact of our warmth can also help others show acts of kindness. By loving, it warms up homes, workplaces, and communities. Often people run to the light to find fellowship, comfort, and encouragement. The light of our lives has the power to transform environments and change people’s lives. In both passages, we see a common thread: the importance of living a life that reflects the love and grace of God.
Do you want to be remembered as a light? What other words do you want to be remembered for? When people think of you, what qualities, values, characteristics or achievements would you like to be associated with your name? The choices we make and the way we treat others can have a lasting impact on our legacy, so we should strive to impact the world in a way that reflects faith and commitment. This isn’t always easy, as it requires making choices that align with values and faith, and treating people with love and respect, even when we don’t feel like it.
So the four words that I decided that day on Youth camp included loving, hardworking, grounded and joyful. What are the four words that you want to be remembered by?