What Is Your Legacy?

5.26.15
Good Morning! I hope you all are having a great week! Shane and I went on a camping trip to Mt. Cheaha, which is the highest point in Alabama, with my sweet family. It was a much needed relaxing weekend! I encourage everyone to take time away to spend with your family, no cell phones, no worldly things to bother you, just you and your beautiful family!






Here's a few pics from our adventures:

"Today I shall behave, as if this is the day that I will be remembered." - Dr. Seuss

Two questions:
1. What is your legacy?
2. How will people remember you?

This weekend I began thinking about my legacy. I kept wondering how people will remember me. This really hit me hard because it made me think about the way I act and what kind of legacy I want to leave. While thinking of this two biblical people came to mind, Judas and Paul.

Lets take a minute to reflect on the legacy that Judas left. Judas was a disciple of Jesus who was known as a thief (John 12:4-6). Judas "A FOLLOWER OF JESUS" was known as a thief, and stole money from Jesus and His disciples. He was a man with his own ideas and motives. It wasn't long before Judas' love for money caused him to betray Jesus to the men who wanted to harm Jesus. All it took was 30 pieces of silver for Judas to betray his own King with a kiss. All along Jesus knew what was going to happen. I asked myself "Why didn't Jesus stop it?" I believe that this shows that God is a God who allows you to choose what you do and what you believe. He didn't force anyone to follow Jesus, it was all a choice. After the betrayal Judas felt remorse and tried to return the 30 pieces of silver.

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned by the betraying innocent blood," he said. "What's that to us?" they said. "See to it yourself!" So he threw the silver into the sanctuary and departed. Then he went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Guilt-stricken Judas went and killed himself! This is the legacy he left: betrayer and thief. He left people wondering where his heart was. It is no ones place to judge whether he went to heaven or hell but the fact that we have to question it shows something. People remember Judas as a betrayer, and not loyal. As one who didn't allow God to have complete control.

Then we have the apostle Paul. In his earlier life Paul was known as Saul who persecuted Christians, but God had a plan for him, as He does for us all. A flash of light from Heaven came down and the Lord asked Saul why he was persecuting Him and then went on to tell him to go to Damascus and he will be told what to do. Saul was blind and ate or drank nothing for three days. Once Saul arrived in Damascus the Lord sent Ananias to heal him and show him the power of God. It was later that his name was changed to Paul. Paul proclaimed the name of Jesus everywhere,  he was so filled with the Holy Spirit that demons feared his name (Acts 19:11-17.) Paul taught the churches who were spiritually dead the power of Christ. He wrote 13 books in the new testament. He teaches us about God's love and how to love. Paul is the one who teaches us how to be a true follower of Christ. He was a man that was relentless, passionate, and filled with love. He dedicated his life to God.  Paul loved God so much that he even died proclaiming His name.  He is a perfect example of how God uses those who are weak and turns them into powerful people to save others in His name.  One of my favorite verses written by Paul:

Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God had chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world, what is viewed as nothing, to bring nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) 


So what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Do you want to be known as the one who was selfish or mean, one who was a lover of the world, one who craved attention, one who started drama, or the one who hated everyone? OR do you want to be known as the one who was loving, unselfish, kind, and loved God?

Take a deep look into your life... if you died today what would your legacy be? Would you go to heaven or hell? Its not what you leave behind, it is what you did for God while you were here, it is what you proclaimed, and it is how people know you. God wants to use you!!! He doesn't want you to proclaim His name yet show no actions or produce any fruit. Do you want to be like Judas who left a legacy no one would want? Or like Paul, who loved everyone and lived his life out for Jesus?

It isn't to late to change your life around, I know I am going to!! I want to be like Paul! Sometimes I feel unworthy and like I can do nothing to change this world, but then I think of Paul and how God used him and I know that God does have a plan. People may get annoyed by everything I post that is mostly all about God, but this is just one of my ways of sharing how great HE is! It is so easy to forget that. He is all I can think about and I want to live for Him! I encourage you to live for Him to. I am not perfect, I fail everyday, but each day I am made new, and you can be to!!

If you are feeling like you aren't leaving a good legacy ask God to help you and change your life around. Pray to Him! He hears the tiniest prayers. He WILL help you if you give Him control.

If you are feeling like your leaving a good legacy then keep up the good work! Be sure that your actions are for God and He receives all the glory.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so be sure your life is right today!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are blessed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

Feel free to email me and comment! I would love to hear what you all think! XOXO