Legacy

Young people do not typically think about legacy. Since turning 45 in August for some odd reason I seem to be giving the concept a little more thought than I ever have. If the Lord Jesus tarries and there is a generation that comes after I am gone to be with the Lord, what will my legacy to that generation be? I am seeing more and more it is about the impact that I can make on the lives of younger people who will be here bearing fruit for Jesus after I am in glory with God.

Sign ups for new teachers in the childrens department at Bethel have been rather slow over the summer months this year. Entering into the fall we still have less than an adequate number of adult volunteers to staff childrens ministry. In an effort to get some more workers for the harvest, Debi Tharrington who serves as Childrens Director, and I thought it might be a good idea if we have one of our faithful teachers share a word about what it has meant to teach children over the years. So Max Chappel, one of our childrens department teachers, shared a word of testimony during the morning services about what it has meant to him to teach 5th grade boys.

Something about Max's testimony really stood out to me. He shared about the impact that Mr. King (his Sunday School teacher when he was about 10 or 11 years old) had on his life. Max admitted that he was rambunctious and he knew that Mr. King wondered if any of the boys learned anything. Mr. King had no idea what he was doing when he invested in the life of Max Chappel. Little did he know that he was investing in the life of a boy, who would grow to be a man, who would then invest his life in 5th grade boys.

I wonder if one day one of the boys who have come through the 5th grade department at Bethel will be telling of the impact that Max had on his life when he was a wild 5th grader?

 Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

By investing in the lives of 10 and 11 year old boys, Mr King was laying up treasure in heaven. By investing in the lives of 5th grade boys, Max is laying up treasure in heaven. But anybody that Max is able to invest in.....Mr King had a hand in it....One day these boys Max is teaching are going to grow up, and some of them will invest their lives in others......Max will have a hand in it. This is the investment plan that keeps on giving.

Lord help me not to waste my life. Help me to be like Mr. King. Help me to leave a legacy of lives forever changed for Your glory.