What is Your Kingdom-focused legacy?
Ways to Build and Fulfill It
By Bruce Witt
Looking beyond your day-to-day leadership and actions, what is your long-term vision and legacy? At some point, we all must stop and consider where we’re going and how we’re getting there.
The 7th One Leader principle says the following –
“Leaders are Kingdom-focused and leave a lasting legacy.”
The Eternal Over the Temporal
Leadership chooses the eternal over the temporal gain—see Matthew 6:19-20 that says,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
They also give their life to people and receive an eternal reward as it states in Isaiah 54:2-3,
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”
3 Keys to Legacy-Building
Building a Kingdom-focused legacy is both spiritual and practical—seeking His will and then planning some foundational steps to get there.
Here are three keys to remember as you seek God’s direction on building your legacy:
1. KINGDOM: Leadership partners with God in His purposes.
We seek God’s Kingdom first and foremost desiring to glorify Him above all else. The goal is not to just build a large organization; the goal is to be about God’s purposes and how we can partner with others to extend it to all nations. A Kingdom perspective is Christ-empowered, inclusive, others-centered, and bifocal (serves the person and has a world vision). A Kingdom leader is sacrificial using the world’s goods to pursue the eternal Kingdom opportunities versus building their own monuments.
2. ETERNITY: Kingdom keeps God’s eternal view in perspective.
This area is where we will have true reward. Leadership doesn’t focus on building organizations that are great; these are only a means to God’s end which is to help people know Him and to bring Him glory. Without Christ as life and leader, we are the limited. He guides to discern between what is good and what is best. And only two things are eternal—people and the word of God.
3. GOSPEL: The Great Commandment engages the Great Commission.
As believers and followers of Christ, we follow his example by reaching the lost and making disciples of all nations. Invest spiritually in others. Develop a vision for the world. Leadership is personally engaged in the ministry of evangelism and discipleship. They see their world (relationships, work, play) as opportunities to share the Gospel in a variety of ways.
What about your legacy? What are your next steps? Please share your comments in this forum.
BW
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