“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
Over the past two weeks, I have been pondering the topic of legacy. A family I work for and am close to lost their matriarch, and I was struck by the impact of her life as I heard her family share at her funeral.
Leaving a legacy at work is not that different from the one we will leave behind with our families, especially as women of faith. We are meant to make God’s name famous, and raise up others to be ‘aces in places’ in our work spaces. And how we do so definitely impacts the legacy we leave behind us when we switch companies, or move into new positions at work.
“Seeking to perpetuate one’s name on earth is like writing on the sand by the seashore; to be perpetual it must be written on eternal shores.” – DL Moody
In contrast to the building of companies and stockpiling wealth, we as Christians are to be primarily focused upon building His Kingdom on earth, and laying stores in ‘heavenly’ banks.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” Matthew 6:19-20 MSG
What we deem as important will become our primary focus, and the bulk of our energies will be directed there. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:19-20 to fix our focus and energy upon His kingdom, and to live our His ways, that our work and relationships will have eternal impact.
There were three key ways that I was impacted by the legacy of the loved one whose funeral I was honored to attend, which are equally important to those of us in the workplace, whether we are support staff or running the business.
PRAYER - Just as we are to pray for our family and those around us, as Christian business women we are to pray for each of our staff or coworkers. Inviting God to bless them, assist them in any area in which they have lack, and guide them to know Him.
“...pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” James 5:16 MSG
PRACTICE - Treating others the way you would want to be treated - supporting them through hard times, laughing with them in the joyful moments, listening when they speak, loving them when they need it most, expressing that they have value because of who they are and not because of what they do - is practicing the way of the Kingdom, and walking like Jesus. This “practice” is an intentional mindset which flows best after we spend time in prayer.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
POSITIONED - We are intentionally placed in the family, time and location in which we live. God planned for us to share the Good News and walk with Him right here, right now, wherever we go. This impacts our workplaces when we model Kingdom living amongst those who do not know Him. Just as Esther was perfectly positioned to advocate for her people, you are purposefully placed in order to invite God into your work spaces and the situations which might arise. And as His daughter, you are uniquely empowered to do so!
“You were born for such a time as this.” - Esther 4:14 paraphrase
The combined impact of being women of prayer who practice the Kingdom of God out of their position as His daughters can have a mighty impact upon those around you. And what work place won’t benefit from such an employee, leader or business owner?
Taking this to God in Prayer:
God, I want to be a women of faith who positively impacts both my personal and professional relationships. Teach me to pray for those around me, and guide me to pray through difficult seasons and situations. Help me to practice the presence of God throughout my day, and to walk out Kingdom values wherever I go and whatever I do. Remind me of who I am to and in You, that my confidence will be because of my dependence upon You, and Your empowerment. May my work place be blessed as I set my sights on working there as Your daughter. Let my legacy be one which brings You much honor. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
As you go about your day at work over the next few weeks, remember that your legacy isn’t in your charm, skill or even beauty, it is in your faith that will endure for eternity!
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30 NIV)