Celebrating Legacy

...your legacy is defined by who you were, who you are, and who they will be.

Over the past few days, there have been many circumstances that has shed a whole new light on celebrating Christmas and what it really means for us.  This time of the year is more than just presents, giving, receiving, decoration, family and even the Christmas Eve service that you may attend.  Those are all great parts of this season but there is sooo much more than that.

As we go about our daily routines and getting ready for this weeks celebrations, other families and friends are experiencing more than we know.  We have several friends that have received early Christmas presents in the forms of little babies that happen to have perfect timing, just in-time for Christmas.  What a gift, a life and child that will make this one of the best Christmas celebrations ever.  While others have lost loved ones in the recent days and weeks.  A very close friend of ours just lost his Grandpa and one of the most influential churches in America just lost the founding pastor yesterday after a battle that has seemed to last forever.

Now, these circumstances and experiences can be sad, happy and bring a flood of emotions that we don't always understand.  I'm not saying that I know what each of these people is going through, however something hit me that brings new clarity to Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  Leadership isn't just about the here and now, but more importantly, how will your leadership will impact the future.  Your legacy will be defined by who you were, who you are now and ultimately by who those that follow you will become.

You see, these two great men that passed away in the last week have left a legacy that will be seen for generations to come.  Who they were was changed by Jesus (who we celebrate this week), who they are can be seen in those that have followed and have been influenced by these men living out what they were gifted with.  Leadership doesn't always feel good and isn't ever easy, but realizing that what we deal with now will impact those that follow brings a whole new meaning to leadership.  These little babies that have been born will follow someone and become the man or woman they've been created to be if they have leaders that have legacy in mind, not there own personal agenda.

This week as you celebrate Christmas and go through your traditions, celebrate the legacy that Jesus left.  Then, take a look at the legacy you are leaving and the influence that you have in others.  We have all made mistakes in our past, but we can create a legacy by what we do now.  Be the leader that does the "right" things now to secure the legacy for those that follow you. 

Lead like their life depends on it, because it does!

Ryan