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Both eyes should be firmly focused on the legacy that you will pass down.
Often our motivation for our dreams can be self focused and small. We look at what is happening to us in the day today, but really what we should be looking at is the inheritance that we will be passing to our children. When we see our dream chasing journey as one of inheritance, our actions change for the better. We look at the health of our journey, we have a greater level of grit and motivation, and our actions become deliberate instead of mindless.
In Proverbs the writer states, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.”
Often we consider money and money alone when we think of inheritance, however, a legacy that has impact is so much greater than just money. In fact if you just pass down money, the money will be a curse and not a blessing to your children.
Four important base level concepts will help you and I pass along a legacy of dream chasing that will be an invaluable inheritance.
1. Tension or Problem. Knowing the difference between a tension to be managed or a problem that needs to be overcome is a necessary legacy principle. Teaching and passing down the inheritance of knowing the difference between a tension or a problem, will save your children’s children frustration level.
An example of this is work/life balance. You and I need to work. It’s important and I for one like to eat. My family needs me to spend time with them as well. I can’t work constantly and give them what they need from me. Work is not the enemy and neither is my awesome family. Manage the tension instead of fighting the problem and success will be found.
2. Stand on the Word. The Bible is the inspired word of God and it’s the authority, not our feelings and emotions. Knowing to stand firm no matter what others say or how you feel gives you the backbone you need to ride out all that life throws at you. If you don’t stand on the Word, you will be on top of the world one second and the next you’ll go emo.
3. Speak as if Attained. Words have power! Don’t underestimate the power of words to your children especially. We can be tempted to speak mainly to the negative actions or our children’s shortcomings. When we speak to the positive in a way that is as if they are living that out now, our children want to be that and are encouraged.
Today is my son’s eighth birthday and I refer to him as a mighty man of God. Why? Because he has attributes that are in line with that statement even if they are underdeveloped. I want to encourage and exhort even the smallest attributes. Don’t wait for perfection to speak life into the next generation. Rather call out the small as if it’s mature.
4. Model. “Do as I say, not as I do.” is a stupid statement. You won’t be perfect. You must model what a man of God chasing Godly dreams should look like. Modeling what it looks like to apologize when you come up short and fail. What it looks like to put God and your family before your dream. What to sacrifice and what things to never compromise on in your dream pursuit. More will always be caught than taught.
Legacy should never be an afterthought. You must chase your dreams, do it in a Godly way, and pass on the dreaming legacy. Be blessed on your journey.
Questions to Ponder: Why does legacy matter to you?
Where do you do well with legacy and need to persist?
Where do you need to improve?
Prayer: God, thank you for entrusting us with our children. Help us to raise families that chase wild, crazy God sized dreams for generations to come. Give us strength to push through the hard times and help us to celebrate the good you have done. Show us what our children need and help us to meet them where they are. Amen.
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This post was previously published on zechariahnewman.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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