A friend once told me a freeing truth. He said, “Legacy is a myth.” At first it grated on me.

“What!? Of course legacy is real… and it’s super important!” I thought. I was deflated and indignant.

Then I considered the legacy of my own great grandparents. Sadly (and to my shame), I don’t even know their names. I don’t know where they lived or where they came from. I don’t know what they did for work or have any real idea even of what they looked like. And I certainly don’t have any material possessions or wealth passed down from them.

That’s when it hit me: legacy is a myth… at least in the worldly sense. Even though I don’t know their names or have any material possessions from them, I undoubtedly have a legacy left from my great grandparents that is much more valuable: my faith in Christ.

The one thing I needed

The one thing I needed from my great grandparents is the one thing I received: Jesus. It’s also the one thing that can never fade away or lose value. Coincidentally, it’s the one thing I hope to pass along—as my legacy—to my daughters, to their kids, and to their kids.

Our kids don’t need us to pile up money or assets for them to inherit. They need us to introduce them to the one who can save and love their souls.

That day when my friend reminded me that legacy is a myth, he was talking about exactly that. It’s a myth to think that many generations from now, our families will be speaking, remembering, and revering our names often, if at all. Let us focus on getting them to speak, remember, and revere the name of Jesus more than anything.

If I grow old and have nothing, it won’t matter… if only I can live to see our kids know and love Jesus, I will die a happy man!