We keep track of a person’s legacy in many ways. Epitaphs written on tombstones might be the most humorous approach. Here are a few of my favorite:

In Washington D.C.: Uncle Walter loved to spend; He had no money in the end.

But with many a whiskey, and many a wife, He really did enjoy his life.

In Colorado: Here lies a man named Zeke. Second fastest draw in Cripple Creek.

In Arizona: Here lies George Johnson, Hanged by mistake 1882. He was right, we was wrong. But we strung him up and now he’s gone.

In Spain: Here lies Pancrazio Juvenales. He was a good husband, a wonderful father. But a bad electrician.

On a more serious note, how do we ensure that our lives have lasting meaning and purpose?

Well, consider the advice given by the prophet Jeremiah in a letter to the Babylonian exiles. As the children of Israel were carted off as prisoners of war, their hearts must have been extremely heavy. Their legacy as God’s children was flayed right before their very eyes. The “gig seemed to be up.” The “good stuff” was finished. Their lives were ruined. No legacy for them.

So, what did the prophet say to them? Read Jer. 29:4-9 and you will notice that when they arrived in Babylon, they were not told to grin and bear it. Instead, they were instructed to build houses, plant gardens, marry and have children. And they were told to seek the peace of their capturers and learn to get along with those who arrested them. The children of Israel were even told to help their enemies prosper.

That is their legacy. Not a perfect life back in the Promised Land. Not a life filled with just milk and honey. But despite the turmoil, pain and frustration, they were to put down roots, love their neighbors and construct a life according to His plans, not theirs.

If you happen to be thinking a bit about your own legacy, maybe you are wondering what impact you have had on your children and grandchildren.  Or what impression you have had on your workplace, your neighborhood and among your friends.

Don’t be discouraged. There is much more to say about you than can be etched on a tombstone. So, take stock of your current situation. Go ahead and build a Godly life right where you are. God will use it all.

We don’t want to hear “have fun.” We want to hear, “Well done.”