When you die, who do you wanna be remembered as? Do you desire your children and your spouse to think kindly of you and cry tears of gratitude for all the fond memories they shared with you? Do you hope your siblings will speak of tender moments you shared growing up together? Do you wish for the seats of the chapel to be filled with many friends and coworkers who share a teary smile with others they are meeting for the first time? Will they be touched as they look around at the gathering of love shared in remembrance of your life?
If this is your desire for the end of your life, what are you doing today to ensure that will happen? What will your legacy be about? Will it be the photo of you on social media as you do harm to someone? Will it be a news video of you committing a crime, the memory of you punching your partner in the face, the tears of your abused children, or the pain of your actions that others feel that will be your legacy? The actions of today are the building blocks to your legacy and trajectory you choose today will determine your end of life's destination. If you want a different outcome it won't change until you change the path that you are on.
In the photo above there are some pretty good words of advice for ethical living. The Bible encourages these practices as well:
Believe:
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
Listen:
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," James 1:19
Earn:
"Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:12
Think:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Try:
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24
Live:
"A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous." Proverbs 13:22
Consider your actions today, the choices you make, they are determining more than you realize. They are your life's legacy that will live long after you are gone.