This Week's Devo

  What Love Leaves Behind

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” —Hebrews 6:11-12

I’ve been thinking a lot about legacy lately. 

The legacies that have shaped me, the ones shaping my children, and the legacy I long to leave—the impact I hope to make. No matter which season of legacy I consider—past, present, or the one still being written—the most powerful ones always share a common thread: love. 

Every legacy that’s marked my life was born out of love.

The love of a father who made sure his daughter knew she was seen, loved, and enough—simply because she was his. 

The love of an aunt who overflowed with joy for Jesus and opened my eyes to the beauty of walking closely with Him. 

The love of Sunday School teachers who sang the silly songs and flipped the flannelgraph pictures just to make sure I knew that Jesus loves me. 

Legacy after legacy. Impact after impact. Each one traces back to a love that looked like Jesus. 

Because that’s what true legacy does—it mirrors the greatest one ever left: the legacy of Christ. 

Jesus shook things up. He didn’t fit into expectations, and He certainly didn’t live for applause. He came in love. He healed in love. He died in love. And in doing so, He showed us what it means to leave a legacy that lasts.

When He was weary, He looked to the Father for strength.

When He was frustrated, He taught with patience and compassion.

When He was rejected, He loved anyway—even to the point of death. 

If we want to leave a lasting impact—a legacy that echoes through eternity—we must be imitators of Christ. 

But here’s the hard truth: loving people isn’t always easy.

It’s hard when you feel like you’ve poured out every drop of love you have and still it isn’t received. 

It’s hard when ministry feels frustrating, when your heart is tired, or when the “love” people want isn’t the kind we’re called to give.

Friend, Jesus knew that pain—and He loved anyway.

If love were easy, or if we could choose only the ones who’d love us back, it wouldn’t be worth the legacy it leaves behind.

Take heart—you’re not alone in the struggle. The book of Hebrews was written to first-century believers who were also weary, ready to give up. But Paul encouraged them to press on, reminding them that loving well and enduring faithfully lead to the promises of God. 

Promises like these:

That His forgiveness drives our sins as far as the East is from the West. 

That He has claimed us as his own and written His law on our hearts.

That through His mercy and love, we truly come to know Him.

These are the promises that become our inheritance when we love in a legacy-leaving way.  

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” —Hebrews 6:11-12

If we are to leave a legacy for the next generation, let it be one of faithful, enduring love—not love that seeks applause, but love that shakes things up, changes hearts, and transforms the world.

Just like Jesus.