The closer I get to retirement, the more I think about what I will leave to my small family. When I pose this as a question to God, He answers, “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?” (Joshua 18:4). In this question to me is a challenge to claim what God has already given. Material things are not the first possessions that come to mind when I look at what God has given me; His greatest gift is salvation. I’ve spent hours meditating on the promises that my family will be saved and many years waiting patiently for the Lord to reveal His plans for my family. I’ve believed the Psalmist who says, “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). Yet I have to confess that many more hours I have not made time to meet with Him; I have been too busy with doing life; I’ve allowed the world’s calling to capture my eyes, mind, and heart. When called home, I’ve walked the opposite way.
Consider the Lord of the universe. Every other creature knows Him. Yet man is still running away. I am still running away so that I can do my own thing, be my own boss, avoid living on my inheritance. Time is running out. Oh, I may have a few years yet to work and save up for retirement, but what is the most precious possession in my life that I can pass down? Certainly not land, wealth, or heirlooms. A tender, humble heart then. That is what I would like my children to inherit. Can I do that? Is there any way that my life’s letter will testify to the peace and joy of surrender to Christ? Even as I see the challenge of chicks running amok, I long to call to them to stand still long enough to be caught up and nestled in safe places with Christ where sadness, tears, tragedy, and turmoil will cease. This longing for them reminds me of Christ’s longing to tenderly and lavishly love on the Israelites. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus says, “Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” So He knows my deepest desire is to see my family gathered together in His house of worship. This is what I know: Jeremiah 9:24 – “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understand and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight.” To me, this is the land of promise. To leave my family with praise on their lips for the God I serve, like every other thing that has breath, to praise the Lord (Psalm 50:6). I want that to be my legacy.
Sixty-six books in a year 