Leave a quiet legacy

We have an innate desire to make our name great, elevate who we are as a person, build ourself up.

Ever been in a car with five, say 12 year olds? Just sit back and listen. Beneath almost every comment is an undertone of personal greatness. Whether personal skills, wealth, material possessions, vacations, parents, you name it, and the desire for glory of oneself comes out. It is verbal social media.

The desire for personal glory enters in childhood and really never leaves. We want to be known for greatness, whatever your definition of greatness is. I could argue that even this blog is an effort to glorify my name.

The desire for self glory is inescapable.

And, the desire for glory may be the most difficult battle fought between the ears.

Were it not for the desire of glory, there would be no division. Arguments are caused by trying to elevate yourself, show dominance. If there were no desire for glory, there would be no debt. One would live within their means. If there were no desire for glory, there be no gossip, no jealousy, no ill will about another.

This battle for glory never stops in life.

If you think about it, “leaving a legacy” is all about personal glory, how one wants to be remembered. The cry of “I want to be remembered for (fill in the blank)” starts with “I.”

There is a great, very seldom heard, Scripture that says, “make every effort to live a quiet life.”

What a statement that flies in the face of culture. You won’t find this statement on any personal goal list. What kind of aspiration is living a quiet life?

What would this even look like?

The idea of a “quiet life” isn’t about sitting in silence passively meandering down the path of life. Not at all.

The idea of a “quiet life” is silencing that inner desire of personal glory. The idea of a “quiet life” is putting yourself at the back of the line and telling no one. The idea of a “quiet life” is not glorifying your talents, your position, your wealth, your marriage, your family.

Ultimately, a quiet life is stepping out of the spotlight so that others can be lifted up.

At the core, a quiet life would be a posture of continual focus on others. Elevation of others.

Virtually impossible but certainly a goal worth striving for each day.

The greatest news is that grace is fresh each morning. We can try today.

Leave a quiet legacy.

Impact others. Live generously.

1 Thessalonians 4:11