A Lasting Legacy: The Only Way to Have One

Leaving a Lasting Legacy Is a Big Concern

While coaching many affluent clients and talking to colleagues about their clients, I learned that this legacy issue is a big deal. One story I heard from a client and advisor at my old firm involved a very prominent doctor. Unfortunately, his area of medicine was under financial attack. His income was dropping 60%. He thought his legacy was going to come from his generosity and his influence from many board memberships. The requests for his advice were declining in number. He began to realize that they really just wanted his money since he really had no experience or training in organizational management, marketing, service in the non-profits mission area, etc. His life was losing its meaning, and he even used the “suicide” word in our offices. He feared he would not have much of a legacy and did not know what to do. It turns out he was primed to begin the path to have one.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy Is a Documented Concern

For those of you who visited our website in the early days, you saw or completed a self-assessment on our home page. We moved that assessment to Session #1 which is now FREE. That assessment helps people identify where they are in their frustration, dissatisfaction, pain and even fear in their life.

We have accumulated the information in the many assessments, and there have been some fascinating discoveries. With the data we have so far, one preliminary result is that the number of women worried about their marriage is 50% higher than the men worried. There is much more for another blog, so stay tuned.

On the not so surprising front, however, the #1 desire and concern for self-identified Christians is leaving a lasting legacy! Statistically, this desire is clearly #1!! #2 is not very close. With this fact, we've dedicated ourselves to helping people with this issue.

What Most People Want & Where They Look for It

I don’t know where you are regarding this concern, but let’s explore what many people generally are feeling. Most people want to be remembered by society and/or their heirs. They have common questions. What does the world think of me, my life and the prospects of a meaningful legacy? We want to feel that our lives matter right now and will be memorialized in a legacy.

Many people define themselves by their money, possessions or work – things others can see in some form or fashion. In a general sense, we let the worlds view of us dictate whether we have a meaningful life that would produce a lasting legacy. Social media has added an intensity to this “legacy likelihood” issue. The pretend lives on display raises the standard even higher.

Why can’t I have the life that she has?

She is doing so much seemingly with ease.

Look at their accomplishments that they are “humbly” mentioning.

I didn’t know they knew that famous person.

From the pictures, postings and number of likes I see, that business or non-profit she helped start really seems to be booming.

I was one of these people earlier in my life. I thought that because I had some famous family members in politics, business and non-profits that it somehow made me a better and legacy-worthy person. Even mentioning this fact still makes me question using this example in my life. Is this a humble brag? Ugh. Once I became a Believer, however, I thank the Lord for disabusing me of this notion of other people making me more important. 

Other Legacy Failures to Avoid

Putting one’s name on buildings doesn’t do it, either. In Birmingham, AL, there was a famous entrepreneur who had his name on many buildings only to have them changed after he was discredited by financial scandal.

In spite of my family’s history, for example, I can’t even remember my great-grandfather’s name, how he lived his life, nor what he valued most. I’m proof that worldly legacies generally don’t last – even positive ones. 

Even being President of the United States, later judged harshly by history under different standards, does not promise a positive legacy that lasts. In fact, it seems that most lasting legacies are negative – Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tso Tung, Pol Pot, Charles Manson, and many others.

A Lasting Legacy Is the Result of …

Some of the best gifts in life are a result of indirect consequences of our actions for achieving goals. One example comes from Richard Simmons (not the exercise guy), who is a best-selling author and the Executive Director of the Center for Executive Leadership – a Christian non-profit dedicated to sharing the gospel, discipling, and providing counseling to men.  In one of his Bible studies, he stated that “Happiness is the result of a fulfilled life, not something you can achieve directly.” In other words, you can’t force achieving happiness in your life. The exact same thing is true for leaving a lasting legacy.

So, how does a lasting legacy come about? How do we live a life resulting in a legacy that lasts? Are our motives for wanting one even God glorifying? Here is the answer: A lasting legacy is the natural result of a fulfilled purpose.

A Positive & Lasting Legacy Requires Everlasting Elements

Our lives and the resulting legacy must have some everlasting elements. Anything that is a result of man’s “accomplishments” will disappear like vapor. We must look to the ultimate example of everlasting, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

His promises, assurances, and character have never changed, aren’t changing now, nor will they ever change. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” So, Jesus needs to be part of both our lives and fulfilling our purpose for His glory. Therefore, what can you do to leave a lasting legacy involving Christ? YOU NEED TO FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE!

Fulfilling Your Purpose

A fulfilled purpose is the result of 1) taking actions according to your unique design that cause you to 2) grow in your obedience in God’s will in the basic areas of life to which Scripture points 3) by loving God and our neighbors 4) ultimately to glorify God – our purpose in life. Not just your purpose, but all of mankind’s purpose.

Here is a song that says so much on this topic in a wonderful way. 

No matter how you work on fulfilling your purpose, and we hope you pick the Unstatus Your Quo® Growth Plan, please pick a process focused on the eternal and acknowledges that you have one purpose – to glorify God. The most important legacy you can leave from a heavenly perspective, the only one that matters, is one that leads your heirs to want to know and be in deep relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Charlie

Learn more about the Unstatus Your Quo® Growth Plan and how to leave a lasting legacy by starting Session #1 for FREE.