Our son and daughter-in-law graduated from Liberty University. Last spring I graduated with my MAR from the Liberty Theological Seminary, and I am currently working on my DMin at the same school. Obviously, our family believes in the values espoused by that school and its founders. The news that Jerry Falwell passed away saddened me.
Falwell was not a perfect man; none of us are. He made mistakes like every human being. I shared his beliefs and values and appreciated his willingness to voice them at every opportunity. At times, I regretted some of his actions and wished he sometimes had not said some things he said. I'm sure he did as well. Anyone who was in the public eye as much as he was is bound to say some things at times that upon further reflection might not be said. I personally would not want to be in the public eye that much.
His legacy is far greater than his mistakes. He went to Lynchburg with a vision of building a great church, and with God's help he accomplished that. He saw the need for a Christian university, but even he could not have envisioned the impact that school would have and the growth it would enjoy. He looked around the nation and saw the direction we were headed and called on Christian people to pray and become involved in the political arena. He provided this nation with a clear voice challenging us to return to Christian values and moral living. He stood up to critics who ridiculed him, mocked him, and, I'm sure, at times threatened him. He loved those who disagreed with him even while he rejected their philosophies. This past week both Larry Flynt and Al Sharpton, men Falwell often debated, said that they had become friends with Falwell and believed that Falwell genuinely cared about them. It is reported that Falwell said a few days before his death that he was ready when his time came. Despite what some critics and bloggers have said since his death, Falwell is now enjoying the presence of Jesus Christ while we continue to mourn his passing. He left behind a legacy that I pray will be built upon by those who follow him.
What will your legacy be when you reach the end of your life? You may say that you're just the pastor of a small, bivocational church and could never have the impact of a Jerry Falwell. I say you're wrong. You will have a much greater impact on the lives of your congregation and community than Falwell could have. You are with them every day. You will have a much greater impact on your family than Falwell will have because you are with them every day. Your words and actions will influence and impact those lives for good or bad, and that influence will determine your legacy. Every day matters. Every word and action is important because someone is watching and listening. Again I ask, what will your legacy be when you reach the end of your life?
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