What is a Legacy?

Confession – I am one of those people who love the musical Hamilton. Maybe I’ll share the drama of our journey to see it on Broadway with the original cast one day – it is quite the story.

[Spoiler alert – but you should know from history class how Hamilton’s story ends]

In one of the play’s last scenes, Hamilton is reflecting on his life after being mortally wounded by his archenemy, Aaron Burr. As transitions from life to death, he wonders

If I throw away my shot, is this how you’ll remember me? What if this bullet is my legacy?

Legacy. What is a legacy?

It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see...

Legacy… I’ve been thinking a lot about what lasts once I'm gone.

It may be a middle age thing; I certainly hope the good Lord allows me to see many more good years.

It may also be that I’ve recently heard a number of leaders talk about their own legacies – how they want to be remembered by the world. The focus is often goals to be accomplished, projects to be completed, people to be impacted.

Probably both. Whatever the reason, I’ve been wrestling with the concept.

For me, viewing legacy through this lens feels a little shortsighted. I think ambition and goal setting are important; however, I also appreciate that I don’t have the full view of what my impact could or will be. I can't know how or where the ripples created by my life will land across time and space. I believe this is the sole remit of an omniscient Father. I know that what He has planned is far greater than what I might be able to imagine – this extend to the impact that my life might have.

I think about the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Naaman, a successful commander in the Syrian army, had leprosy. His wife’s Hebrew servant advised that a prophet in Israel would be able to heal him. While 2 Kings 5 primarily centers on Naaman, I’m struck by the fact that the servant girl’s counsel sets the stage for Naaman’s healing and, more importantly, his acceptance of the God of Israel. Unnamed but not insignificant – her counsel was, at least in part, her legacy.

Given how limited my view is, I’m not going to worry about what my legacy will be. Rather I’m going to (try to) use my energy to do well what God assigns me and allow Him to take care of the rest. To love Him. To love those he’s placed in my life. To work, serve, and give. To steward my time and talents well. To care for my body. To experience joy and peace. To rest.

And I’ll just trust that doing my part to plant seeds of a life well-lived will lead to beautiful blooms in a garden that I may or may not get to see.