Legacy

Recently, I have been reading the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah in 1 and 2 Chronicles.  Each story recounts portions of the life and deeds of these kings.  Some did very good things.  Some did very bad things.  And each king's life is summed up with a phrase.  They are spoken of as either walking in the ways of their father David pleasing God or they walked in the ways of the kings of Israel not pleasing God. 

In 2 Chornicles 21, the story of Jehoram king of Judah is told.  Jehoram is described as walking in the ways of the kings of Israel.  He put his brothers to death by the sword.  His enemies revolted against him.  He was stricken by an incurable bowel disease.  He led the people into worship of false gods and idols. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. It says that at his death "his people made no fire in his honor, as they had for his fathers." He made the lives of the people around him worse.

His life is summed up in these phrases in 2 Chronicles 21:20:
"Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.  He passed away to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

He was so disliked that he passed away to no one's regret.  Everyone was pleased to see him go.  No one mourned at his passing.  Jehoram died and no one mourned.

That phrase struck me, to no one's regret. His legacy was a combined "good riddance".

Our legacy is the impact we have on this world.  The marks we leave behind on the lives of the people we encounter.  Are the lives we impact better for knowing us? 

What is your legacy? When people think about you, do they see the positive impact you have on their life? 

Do you walk in a way to honor God and love people? 

Are do people think of you like Jehoram, good riddance?

What is your legacy?