Leadership Thought: What Do You Want Carved on Your Tombstone?

Dear Friends,

“The only thing that walks back with the mourners from the grave and refuses to be buried is the legacy of a man." I don’t know who said this, but years ago I memorized it as a continual reminder that when I leave this earth, I want to leave something of value behind that will outlive me.

Steve Saint, the martyred missionary to the Auca Indians writes, “Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.”

I have been thinking a lot more about legacy of late as I watch the sand in my hourglass emptying fast, and when that final grain has passed, what will remain will only be the memory of what I was.

It has been said the power of a person’s life is in the stories they leave behind. What are the stories people will remember when they talk about you? What are the values they extoll and speak about at your funeral?

I think of Bill Roberts, a member of our church who died a number of years ago. I will always remember the terrific bear hug he would give everyone who entered the church. His love for people still permeates through our family of faith.

Throughout our lives other people have shaped and influenced us. We are different because of these people. How will those people be different spirally because they have been around us?

What kind of spiritual impact will you leave behind that will continue to live on in the lives of your children and your grandchildren after you are gone?

“Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people.” says Peter Strople

John Maxwell talks about a trip that he once took to visit Mother Teresa’s tomb. He says that when he got there, he found out that the room where the tomb was located was being used for a special ceremony.

Maxwell writes, “We could see a group of about 40 to 50 nuns seated, all dressed in a familiar habit that Mother Teresa had worn.”

“What’s going on in there,” I asked a nun passing by.

“She smiled.”

 “Today we are taking 45 new members into our order.” she said. And then she hurried away into another part of the building.

“Mother Teresa was gone, but her legacy was continuing. She had made an impact on the world, and she had developed leaders who were carrying on her vision.”

Whether it’s Bill Roberts or Mother Teresa, every one of us has a mission in life, and that is to make our world a better place in which to live. And we can do that by the spiritual footprints we leave behind, as we continue follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Your commitment to live for Jesus, and your unwillingness to compromise His values will leave a mark on the hearts of those you leave behind.

Someday people will summarize your life in a single sentence. What would you want that sentence to be?

Why not take a moment to write out that sentence and then commit to doing whatever you can to make it a reality in your life.

A godly legacy is a legacy that lasts.

In closing, I remind you that “A righteous man will be remembered forever.” (Ps 112:6 NIV).

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."