Why you should look back more often than you think

There was an inventor by the name of Alfred Nobel who acquired more than 350 patents in his lifetime. The invention he was most known for was dynamite. Originally conceived as a way to help miners search for gold, it wasn't long before the military found a better use and began adopting the technology to make explosives for war.

Later in his life the newspapers mistakenly reported his death when his brother passed away. That morning Alfred picked up the paper to scan the day's headlines only to read his life's legacy summed up in a bold, all-caps title:

"THE MERCHANT OF DEATH IS DEAD."

The idea that this would be how he was remembered disturbed Alfred so much that he immediately set to work on reshaping the world's perception of his life. He began investing his entire wealth into a foundation that would fund the most prestigious recognition for those who make significant contributions to society. You've probably heard of it; the Nobel Peace prize.

When I first read about Nobel's story I thought of the amazing opportunity he was given to both see and change his own legacy. What a gift that most of us will never have! But the reality is, we all have the same opportunity. We all have the ability to look back over our lives at how we act, the choices we make, and the things we invest in, in order to assess the legacy we are leaving behind.

Legacy is not so much about the direction of your life or even the accomplishments you've achieved but rather about what you leave in your wake. Wake refers to the water that's left sloshing violently behind a boat or a ship after it's gone. The more spectacular the vessel, the more potentially deadly and dangerous the wake.

A good life doesn't always leave a good legacy.

A lot of great men and women have changed the world at the expense of their family, their marriage, and even their own soul. I've spent the last decade and a half of my life focusing on what I'm building: a marriage, a family, a ministry, disciples, programs, systems, etc. and I'll continue to do so. In many ways I feel like I've only just begun. But I'm beginning to realize that my legacy is not solely about what I'm building now, but rather what I'm planting for the future beyond me.

For years I've told myself that one day I'll sit down and start writing. Why someday? Because writing doesn't seem to carry with it the same sense of accomplishment for me. It requires being still. It calls for reflection. It pulls on every ounce of wisdom you've acquired. Simply put, it forces me to look back, and looking back is rarely comfortable.

Now trust me, I know the adage that we should focus on what's ahead, not on what's behind. I know it, I believe it, and I preach it! And I've even heard it said that "there's a reason the windshield is so much bigger than the rear view mirror." However no car is considered road-ready without a rear-view mirror. It's there for your benefit. Do you know how easy it is for me to hop in the car and peel down the drive way without looking behind me? Especially knowing that it's clear MOST of the time. But as my wife tells me, patient driving is safe driving.

If I'm completely honest, I tend to live my life the same way. Barreling into the future, set on accomplishing, achieving, and pursuing, but forgetting to look back as I go. Forgetting that at the end of this life the world will keep on spinning and that only what I've planted will matter.

THE WORD

"Let this be written for a future generation,

that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:"

- Psalm 102:18

APPLICATION

David didn't wonder whether or not anyone would ever read his words. He tells us in this Psalm that he wrote with the intention of not only being read, but being an influence on future generations to come. David was not leaving his legacy up to the conquests he won and the giants he had slain. Sure, they made for great stories but he wrote even better songs. The stories of his life are told often throughout sermons but the lyrics of his songs are sung every single week in churches all over the world and have been for centuries.

David's most important legacy was not what he did (he did both wonderful and horrible things). No, his most important legacy was what he wrote as he looked back over his life day to day.

If we're not intentional about what we're leaving behind, we are mismanaging what is being given to us. There is power to living with legacy in mind.

I want to make sure what I'm living is worth leaving. If you share the same desire then we owe it to ourselves to look back often at what we're leaving in our wake.

QUESTIONS

3 Questions to ask ourselves to make sure we're leaving a legacy that honors God:

1. Is my life about me or something bigger?

Are all my contributions to the world in my own name? If you are the sole beneficiary of your daily actions and accomplishments then you are living life inwardly. You were put on the earth to have outward impact, not inward comfort. We make our lives about something bigger when we submit to something bigger. God's plans and purposes for you extend past your life. Rarely will you have the privilege to see the final outcome of what God calls you to do in life. While for many that may seem unappealing, I find comfort in it. Anything I can see fully to the end doesn't require faith in a God who has no end.

2. Am I taking anybody with me?

Are there people in my life who I am influencing to become better? In our journey to grow we must bring others along (I would argue that you're not actually growing unless you are). Jesus immediately involved His disciples in the ministry. Leadership is simply acknowledging that you have influence. You may not consider yourself a leader but that just means you're ignorant of your own influence.

3. Am I afraid of feedback?

Are you too fragile to hear the things that will make you stronger? You will never know what kind of legacy you're leaving with people unless you're willing to hear from people. Alfred Nobel had a paradigm shift only when he realized how he was seen in the eyes of society. We can have the same knowledge simply by asking for the crucial feedback we need in order to course-correct.

Take a moment to look in the rear-view mirror today. What seeds have you planted that you may never eat the fruit of? Don't just settle for living a life when you could be leaving a legacy.