Legacy
I have often thought about the legacy I would leave when my soul finally gives up on my body. I've wondered what would make me worth remembering? What words would be used by others to describe my life? What characteristics do I possess that would make my absence feel like a loss? I Samuel 13:14 tells us God sought out David because he was a "man after God's own heart". Of all the accomplishments, the titles, the infamy of the shepherd king, what made him special, memorable was that he was a man after God's heart. I have thought so much about that phrase and what it really means, and wondered how I become a woman after God's own heart.
When David was watching over his father's sheep, he cared for them and protected them, even at great risk. He sang songs of praise to the Lord and learned to be still and commune with God. Surely, God's heart was touched. The brave adolescent David, was ready and willing to take on the giant because he knew God was with him and with God he could not lose. Surely, God's heart was moved. The adulterous, murderous, lying King David, when confronted by the prophet with his sins, immediately repented without arguing or blaming. That had to touch God's heart. When King Saul was trying to kill him and David took the higher ground, refusing to lift a hand against God's anointed, surely God noticed. When the poet king David wrote the Psalms, telling of God's workings and His majesty and power, when David begged God for comfort and protection and then immediately thanked Him for providing, God had to be glorified. When this mighty warrior king David wanted to rescue God's Ark of the Covenant and avenge those who would dare steal what was for Israel alone, God must have been pleased. When the rich and powerful King David wanted to build a glorious house for God and a place for His people to worship, surely God smiled at David's offer.
It seems what made David the man God wanted, the man God trusted to rule His people, the man after His heart, is that David thought about God things, David did God's work, David acted on God's instructions. David was a man after God's heart because David cared about God's heart, he cared about what God cared about. He recognized the majesty of God. He wanted to please God. He loved God more than he loved David. That's what made David God's man.
So, the lesson for me, if I really want to be remembered as God's woman is: think about God things, do God's work, follow God's instructions, care about pleasing God and love God more than I love me. If I do this, I will please God, He will be glorified, and I will be a "woman after God's own heart." And that will be my legacy.
Neva
When David was watching over his father's sheep, he cared for them and protected them, even at great risk. He sang songs of praise to the Lord and learned to be still and commune with God. Surely, God's heart was touched. The brave adolescent David, was ready and willing to take on the giant because he knew God was with him and with God he could not lose. Surely, God's heart was moved. The adulterous, murderous, lying King David, when confronted by the prophet with his sins, immediately repented without arguing or blaming. That had to touch God's heart. When King Saul was trying to kill him and David took the higher ground, refusing to lift a hand against God's anointed, surely God noticed. When the poet king David wrote the Psalms, telling of God's workings and His majesty and power, when David begged God for comfort and protection and then immediately thanked Him for providing, God had to be glorified. When this mighty warrior king David wanted to rescue God's Ark of the Covenant and avenge those who would dare steal what was for Israel alone, God must have been pleased. When the rich and powerful King David wanted to build a glorious house for God and a place for His people to worship, surely God smiled at David's offer.
It seems what made David the man God wanted, the man God trusted to rule His people, the man after His heart, is that David thought about God things, David did God's work, David acted on God's instructions. David was a man after God's heart because David cared about God's heart, he cared about what God cared about. He recognized the majesty of God. He wanted to please God. He loved God more than he loved David. That's what made David God's man.
So, the lesson for me, if I really want to be remembered as God's woman is: think about God things, do God's work, follow God's instructions, care about pleasing God and love God more than I love me. If I do this, I will please God, He will be glorified, and I will be a "woman after God's own heart." And that will be my legacy.
Neva
posted by Neva | 9:18 AM
8 Comments:
Hey, I thought your legacy was being one of God's favorite children?
Kathy A.
I always thought I was God's favorite, he blesses me so much--this was nice
Jean
I think you are a woman after God's own heart and a true example to all who know you. The lives you have touched and the souls you have encouraged, that will be your legacy.
Pat
I dont know Pat but I agree with her. You are such an example.
Yvonne
Learning what touches God's heart is the key and then allowing him to change your life with it is what makes us all his. No one else I'd rather belong to.
Dan
I really liked this one---my favorite challenge so far.
Karli
I have often thought about the legacy I would leave. Thank you for giving me soemthing to aspire to.
Lyndsay
I have often thought about the legacy I would leave. Thank you for giving me soemthing to aspire to. Lyndsay
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