The Richland Church of Christ

Legacy

Posted on Jun 16, 2025 in General, Tom |

In the past month, I have been blessed to attend the memorial services for two remarkable Christian examples. In both instances, speakers independently used the word “legacy.”

 

The first memorial was for my grandmother, who started life under extremely humble circumstances. Her father struggled to hold down a job during the Great Depression, and the family often moved from place to place in search of work as he painted houses. For much of her childhood, they lived in shacks on the outskirts of town, never able to afford a permanent residence.

 

The other memorial was for Tom Mendoza, who also faced a difficult life with nothing to his name. He frequently bounced from place to place, living with extended family, and his only childhood dream was to own an icebox to ensure he would have food the next day.

 

I am astounded by the lives of those who have come before me. I live in such ease and comfort that it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to wonder where the next meal will come from. Yet, these two individuals, like many others, endured extremely challenging situations and were able to leave behind a legacy. The word “legacy” struck me, so I looked up its definition in Merriam-Webster. According to the dictionary, legacy means:

1. A gift by will, especially of money or other personal property.

2. Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor, predecessor, or from the past.

 

When I consider what figures like my grandmother and Tom Mendoza left behind for others, it wasn’t money or material wealth. Rather, they shared their faith. Perhaps shaped by their modest childhoods or their hope for a brighter future, they were able to see something far greater than this world and chose to invest in it.

 

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes reflects on the brevity of life and our achievements during our time here. While he often emphasizes the futility of human endeavors and the vanity of life, he also offers glimpses of a deeper reality, especially concerning eternity. He writes:

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12, 14 – “[God] has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good in one’s lifetime; … 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and nothing to take from it. And God has so worked that people will fear Him.”

 

Consider the implications of these statements. Every season unfolds as it should—not just in relation to calendar seasons but also in the different stages of life. Whether we understand the purpose behind it or not, God is fully aware and has orchestrated everything perfectly. He reminds us that no matter how hard we work, we will never accomplish everything. This is a good reminder for those consumed with chasing unattainable goals. Instead, the solution is simple: enjoy life. Find peace while you are on earth, and you will find blessings. We all know that ultimate peace comes not from our hard work or wealth, but through our relationship with God (Colossians 1:20).

 

In sharp contrast to the futility of human efforts is the permanence of God’s work. While we will never accomplish all our ambitions, “everything that God does will remain forever.” Thus, the wisest investment is not in our pursuits but in God’s kingdom.

 

When I think of lasting legacies, I envision individuals who invest heavily in an enduring reality that transcends earthly life. By sowing seeds for a greater harvest, we discover our lasting impact. The individuals I mentioned have created a heritage that extends far beyond this world. Their great-grandchildren are deeply influenced by the faith they exhibited. That, indeed, is true accomplishment. You may not have wealth or children, but you can create something that reaches beyond yourself—a lasting legacy.