I am old and sometimes I look squarely in the eye of my mortality. I wonder what my legacy be? What will people remember about my life and say about me when I am gone? Will they only think about my failings? Or will some good qualities come to mind? If an honest epitaph is written on my tombstone, what will it say?
Paul was in prison for his faith and near death when he wrote to his friend and disciple, Timothy. In II Timothy 4:7 Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s words would be a great legacy to leave to our loved ones. At the end of my life, I want to be able to say, “I have done good to all, I have accomplished what God prepared for me to do, and I have walked by faith and stood firm in my trust in God.
Goodness, righteousness, and faith are wonderful qualities to possess and live by. These qualities bring life and light to those around us. They are, however, available only through the power of God’s Spirit living in us. I cannot, and we cannot, generate these attributes simply through our meager willpower. We must depend upon God to work these characteristics into our lives. If we trust Him, He will write a glorious epitaph upon our lives.
Reluctant Retiree 