We will all leave a legacy behind us when we die. Every one of us will make an impact on someone or something at some time in our lives. Many times our legacies are very easy to point out. There are many types of legacies that we may leave, and we may leave behind one or more of them. Here is a short list of examples of legacies that we may leave behind us:

1. The legacy of a successful career: Steve Jobs is a great example of this. We will forever remember Steve Jobs as one of the most innovative, creative minds in the technological world of our time. 
2. The legacy of a good book: Jack Canfield is arguably one of the most successful authors of all time. His "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books have been unbelievably popular, and he has 47 New York Times Best Sellers and over 500 million books in print worldwide. 
3. The legacy of being a famous performer: Just name any popular actors, actresses, musicians, comedians, etc. These people are leaving behind a legacy of being a household name, influencing the world through their creativity and emotional connection with their fans.
4. The legacy of being a popular preacher: Charles Spurgeon was a mega-church preacher long before there were mega-churches. His sermons, books, and life story continue to influence the world of Christianity long after his death.
5. The legacy of being a great dad or mom: Many of you may be able to mentally picture the best dad or mom you know. Maybe they are your own parents, or maybe they are parents of your friends. Maybe you just know of them at your church. Regardless, the love, affection, care, patience, support, discipline, and strength of these parents left behind an undeniable mark on others.
6. The legacy of being a strong Christian: Maybe you can think of some of those quiet soldiers of the faith, the elderly sages of your church who are faithful prayer warriors, compassionate confidants, wise shepherds, and strong advocates of Christ. They may not be internationally famous, or even known beyond the scope of their own neighborhoods. But these people are leaving a legacy behind them with every life they touch.

Surely we could go on and name many other ways that we can leave a legacy. Surely we all want to leave a legacy for others to remember. It is possible to leave behind many legacies. Men, you may be an excellent entrepreneur-craftsman-architect-husband,  but if husband is the last thing on your list you're in trouble. Ask someone to define you (the essence of "you-ness") in 5 words and see what response you hear. For many of us, including me, the answer might not be what you desire.

Our priorities are simple: Love God, love our spouses, love our children, serve faithfully in our vocations, and so on. However, too many times our jobs define us. Ask most men who they are in one word. The vast majority will say the title of their job, like "mechanic." How many of us would respond with "Christian?" How many of us would respond with "spouse" or "parent"? We are not our jobs. We are men and women, called to be believers. We are Christians. Once that distinction is identified, we are meant to be defined by our most important earthly relationship. This is a hard one. I admit that too often I do not define myself as "husband" as much as I should. And if I don't correct this, it will hurt the legacy I leave behind.

A long time ago someone challenged me to write my own eulogy. The point was to write how I wanted others to remember me most, in a short, concise format. This little exercise forces us to think critically about our true priorities and gives us a blueprint to aim for. It gives us goals. It gives us purpose. 

Here's my eulogy:

"Joel Onyshuk: Sought after his Savior with his whole life; a loving and committed husband and father; touched the hearts and lives of many, everywhere he went. Survived by his godly wife and children."

I know it's simple. It might change here or there. But the bulk with certainly stay the same. My life's ambition should not be to leave a legacy of a good book, a solid sermon, a great speaking career, a thriving ministry, etc. It should be to follow my God and love my wife and kids. Everything else is secondary. 

Take a stab at writing one and post it in a comment below! I'd love to read yours, and maybe learn a little more about how to write my own a little better! Please share what you have! I'm really excited to read your responses. 

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Every night when I go to bed I have a little routine I do on my phone. I go through to see who followed me onTwitter that day, follow back those who I find immediately interesting, and check to see what trending topics are currently making a buzz. A while back I wrote a blog called "A Boyfriend Should Always", a post on a trending Twitter topic of  the same name that I flooded with a series of well-received posts. Many of you enjoyed that post and so I wanted to post another blog on another trending topic I enjoyed monopolizing for a few minutes recently.

This time, the hashtag of interest was #ThingsThatInspireMe, and I felt like I had to get on board with flooding the Twitter-sphere a bit. So here's what I came up with...I hope you enjoy.

• #ThingsThatInspireMe seeing others stay true to #God in the face of adversity. 
  
• #ThingsThatInspireMe #Jesus' sacrifice for me
• #ThingsThatInspireMe #God's love for me, despite my disobedience, that causes me to continually repent and love him
• #ThingsThatInspireMe #Jesus' death for me that caused me to live for him
• #ThingsThatInspireMe The work of #God in the lives of others.
• #ThingsThatInspireMe a good theology book!
• #ThingsThatInspireMe When I see #Christian tweets overwhelming trending topics on Twitter! 
• #ThingsThatInspireMe #God so loved the world that he sent his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life!
• #ThingsThatInspireMe The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of#God is eternal life through #Jesus Christ our Lord! #Bible
• #ThingsThatInspireMe Women who choose to keep their babies, even when the world tells them to abort
• #ThingsThatInspireMe Watching #God do what I think is impossible
• #ThingsThatInspireMe the song "Amazing Grace"
• #ThingsThatInspireMe #Christians loving others, even when it's inconvenient
• #ThingsThatInspireMe Marriages that last a lifetime.
• #ThingsThatInspireMe When I see an old husband and wife holding hands and flirting in their old age
• #ThingsThatInspireMe Men and women who dedicate themselves wholly to knowing #God, first and foremost
• #ThingsThatInspireMe The #Bible
• #ThingsThatInspireMe the encouragement of other #Christians on Twitter!

So what inspires you? What would you add to the list? I look forward to reading your suggestions!


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