Episode 91 - Leaving a Legacy

I know that when people hear the word legacy, they often think about children or family legacy.

It's common to confuse legacy with inheritance.

But here's the distinction.

An inheritance is what you leave to people.

A legacy is what you leave in people.

And if what you leave in people is strong enough, it can influence generations of people that you'll never meet.

Another common misconception about legacy is that some people tend to think legacy is what you accomplish.

Think about Thomas Edison.

He's remembered for what he accomplished, for bringing electric light into our lives.

Or Alexander Graham Bell.

He will forever be linked to the telephone.

Walt Disney.

He's known for building an entertainment empire and creating Mickey Mouse.

Or Wilbur and Orville Wright.

They accomplished powered flight through the first airplane.

Those are great accomplishments.

And I am personally grateful for their work and their achievements and what they have brought to the world.

But I think legacy is much bigger than that.

When I think of legacy, I like to think of influence.

I'm an avid fan of Pastor Mark Batterson, and he shares that legacy isn't what you accomplish.

Legacy is what others accomplish because of you.

Let me say that again.

Legacy isn't what you accomplish.

Legacy is what others accomplish because of you.

It's the mark of your influence in their life that propels them to do great things.