Legacy isn’t just something we inherit. It’s something we build.
“5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:5-7
You may not get to choose the legacy you were handed. But you do get to choose the one you leave.
Legacy can be born out of loss.
“16 But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!’ 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.” —Ruth 1:16-18
God uses faithfulness to write a bigger story.
“14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, ‘Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!’” —Ruth 4:14-15
“17 The neighbor women said, ‘Now at last Naomi has a son again!’ And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.” —Ruth 4:17