Articles
Is There A Future To Fuel?
Peyton Manning was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of fame. At the end of his hall of fame speech he made this statement, “A legacy is only worthwhile if there is a future to fuel.” He had been talking about the legacy of pro football. He had also been talking about his dad, Archie Manning.
I think a lot about legacy. I am a by-product of legacy. I have been blessed to have a dad whose legacy is more than life long. I have been the recipient of the caring love of older men who have invested themselves in me. Now I am experiencing the value of leaving a legacy. But a legacy is worthwhile if there is a future to fuel.
When I think of legacy and the future, I think of the words of Paul, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit them to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Timothy was his future. Paul began investing himself in Timothy while Timothy was very young. Paul did everything he could to help prepare him for the work he was to do as an evangelist. His was a future worth fueling.
Also, Paul said of the church at Thessalonica, “You followed our example and the Lord. Now others are following your example” (1 Thess. 1:5-7). The church left a legacy for others to imitate. A congregation can also leave a legacy. That legacy can be for her own members. It also can be a legacy for those who know of her work and reputation. A future worth fueling is a church whose loyalty is to the Lord, His word, and His people. That legacy is worth fueling because people are the legacy. Not just any people, but God’s people.
Our future is bright. I think of the number of young men who preach the gospel and how talented they are. I see how they come to those who are older now and talk about preaching. They ask about life. Their future is worth fueling. I also see many young men and women who are tremendous in serving the Lord. I see men who will be elders and women who will be wives of preachers or elders. I see strong, stable Christians. Young parents are investing in their children. Those young children are precious and have a bright future. Investing ourselves in these young preachers and younger Christians is a future worth fueling.
A generation of preachers and elders are passing from this life. They are aging. Age, failing health, and failing minds are taking their toll. These men have been giants among us. It breaks my heart to lose them and see them suffer the ravages of age. But I am reminded they have invested themselves in us. They handed us a legacy. They thought we were worth fueling. Now, it is our turn. The next generation to follow is worth fueling. They have great opportunities. They have great futures. They have great possibilities. They are great people.
Rickie Jenkins
