What are your hands leaving behind?

​The other day I was driving to work, and my windows were all fog up but I noticed something was on my window. Written on the glass said, “I Love you Dad.” My daughter must have written this on my window with her fingers while the windows were all fogged up. I saw that and laughed because I remember when my brother and I were little we would play tic-tac-toe on my parents’ windows. Then we would hear from my dad unless you boys want to clean those windows I suggest you stop writing on them. However, as I thought more about what I saw and what my brother and I would do. I asked myself this question “What are your hands leaving behind?” Like the note that was left on my window from my daughter that I would see sometime later long after she wrote it. Am I leaving a legacy that will be seen later? Either through my kids or even folks from work. Every time we touch something we are either going to leave something for good for people to see or something no so good for people to see. 
 
It reminds me of the heart of Paul as he wrote to his friend Timothy. We know from his writings to other Churches that he was not afraid of death. In fact, he clearly stated that if he were absent from the body, he would be present with the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:3). The resurrection had defeated the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55), and Paul couldn’t wait to meet his Savior. 
 
As Paul pondered the end of his life, he made three very simple statements about his legacy. He had “fought the good fight”—standing firm as a spiritual warrior, clothed in the armor of God, faithfully defending the truth of the gospel. He had “finished the race”—ensuring in the process that he was neither disqualified nor disheartened in the marathon of life and ministry. Most importantly, he had “kept the faith”—remaining true, committed, and loyal to the One who rescued him from sin and darkness.
 
Notice that Paul’s brief statements here say nothing about the education he received, the places he traveled, the letters he wrote, the people he preached to, or the churches he planted. He flat out wanted his legacy to be labeled as “faithful.” I love that! It’s what I want to aspire to as a follower of Jesus. So, I have to ask myself, “If that’s the kind of legacy I want to leave, how would I pursue it today?” Well, it means that my choices need to be more about “fighting the good fight.” I need to put on the spiritual armor each morning, as Paul told the Ephesians to do, and live to be victorious in all that comes my way. I need to be running the race to win, putting off all that hinders and the sins that entangle (Hebrews 12:1). And, it means that in every situation I want my attitudes, my words, and my actions to be loyal and true to Jesus.
 
Building a legacy worth leaving behind begins today and is made one decision at a time.