Legacy and Destiny
“Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.” (Joel 1:3 ESV)
Our week at the beach was simply divine. Nineteen adults and fourteen children from less than a year to over 80 years old. How could it not be full of life and rich with love. We started the week, as is our tradition, with Communion, and also with gratitude for the legacy of these family gatherings that began with my parents.
As we witness the faithfulness of God together, we are aware of God’s command to instill in our children the knowledge of Him we have received by grace. Watching my children and my nieces and nephews with their children is always a pleasure, and I am grateful to see the things of God and His ways pass from one generation to the next. Loving well and with intention is the mark of God’s people. For “whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him.” (1 John 2:5 ESV)
As I was watching the Sun rise one morning, a pink ball rising out of the water and painting the sky in colored light, I found my soul expanding to embrace the gift of warm beauty and my heart was again captivated by the glory of my King. I am truly in awe of Him. The loveliness and order of this natural world whispers of His nature. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:3-5 ESV)
It is good to have our capacity for awe increased. And this is contrary to the way of the world, which is to grow in intellectual knowledge so that less and less inspires awe. But we are God’s children, created to revere and worship Him. If we do not see Him as He is, we will not be awed by Him. Our journey is to grow in the true knowledge of Him and thereby change and grow in our capacity to love Him and believe Him. The more we know Him, the more awesome and mighty He becomes. He doesn’t change, but we do. Thank God.
Dear One, do you need more of Him? Maybe you need a change that enlarges your heart and clears your vision. “…I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints….” (Ephesians 1:16-18 ESV)
As you reflect on the legacy that is ours, look to Him who is also your destiny.
Until next week, beloved, may the King of your heart become more and more the ruler of your heart.