During the first breakout at last week’s leadership retreat, I met with the leaders in my zone and asked them to tell me what had impacted them the most about the retreat at that point. Many of them indicated they were challenged and inspired by the session on “Legacy.” As you recall, Heather’s focal Scripture for that session was 2 Timothy 2:2:
And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2, NASB)
Paul wrote the epistle of 2 Timothy while he was in prison for the last time. He writes to Timothy with great urgency, knowing that the end of his life is near (2 Tim. 4:6-9). For what it’s worth, the Greek word for “entrust” is paratithemi, which means “to place beside, to set before.” It also can be rendered “to commit, commend, present, give evidence.” The Greek word for “faithful” is pistos, which is rendered “faithful, reliable” and denotes one who believes and is trustworthy. Interestingly enough, the word pistos is used of God Himself several places in the New Testament (1 Cor. 1:9, 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23, 11:11; 1 Pet. 4:19; 1 John 1:9). In essence, Paul was instructing Timothy to set everything he had learned before godly men (and women).
As we think about leaving a legacy, there is one other story in Scripture that bears considering. I am currently studying the book of Deuteronomy, and something really hit me. In Deut. 1, the Israelites have come to the end of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and are poised to take possession of the promised land. Emboldened by God, Moses addresses the people, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and their journey to get to this point. It must have been a thrilling moment, and yet - Moses himself would not get to enter Canaan, saying “The Lord was angry with me also on your account, saying, ‘Not even you shall enter there.’” (Deut. 1:37). The disobedient generation of Israelites had passed on and, per God’s decree, did not get to enter the promised land.
But here is Moses, who had faithfully shepherded the people for so many years, denied the “reward” of his labors. Not only that, but look at God’s instruction to Moses in Deut. 1:38: “Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” I don’t know about Moses, but if I had put up with the complaining, stubborn people all those years, I would be hurt that I had to encourage someone else to lead and get the victory.
But isn’t that what leaving a legacy is all about? We are but one part of the “forceful advance” of God’s kingdom. He is the one to whom we bow the knee and submit, and if we submit to Him, then our pride can be vanquished and we can joyfully entrust what we know to faithful, godly men and women who may realize the vision/mission God initially gave to us.
Leave a Reply