As a Pastor, I have participated in many funerals in the suburbs, urban areas, rural areas, and everywhere in between. As varied as these experiences have been, one thing remains the same: I have never seen a U-Haul attached to a hearse. When you die, except for the clothes and a few things that are put in the casket at times, you will leave behind everything you had. Some people have much and others, not as much; but everyone will leave behind their earthly belongings—no matter how great or small. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” (Job 1:21)
Have you ever thought about what you will leave behind when you leave this earth? Or how much you will leave behind and for whom? You might think this is not important since you don’t have a lot; but it is. In fact, you can live with impact and continue to affect this world long after you are gone. How? By leaving a legacy of integrity.
Legacy is usually thought of as a gift of money or other personal property given through someone’s will. But legacy is also something passed on or received from an ancestor or predecessor, or from the past. And Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. When you live your life with honesty and respect for others, standing up for what is right, you leave a legacy of integrity. You don’t need money to acquire integrity; you get it by how you live.
In Matthew 5:37 Jesus says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Here Jesus teaches us the basics to building integrity: Say what you mean and mean what you say. It is better to say ‘No’ a dozen times when asked to do something, than to say ‘Yes’ one time and not keep you word. Integrity is important for family life, societal life, and is anchored in your spiritual life. So don’t neglect your spiritual growth. Pray, study, give, serve, and worship.
Small things can help you build and enlarge your legacy of integrity. Think before you talk. Try to control your reaction to other people’s actions. Don’t overcommit yourself. Keep your promises. Pay what you pledge. Own your mistakes. It’s okay to say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Be content—not complacent—with what you have. Be honest in all you do.
So how is your legacy project going? No matter how you feel about yourself and your circumstances, you can build and leave a legacy of integrity. The world will be better, and your legacy will last longer, if you leave a legacy of integrity.
Wisdom for Your Week
The most precious things are usually priceless. Integrity is one of such things.