Leaving a Mark

Earlier this summer, as I was touring the church camps within the Mountain Sky Area, I drove through Nine Mile Canyon in Utah. It is known as “the world’s longest art gallery” due the thousands of ancient petroglyphs left by the Fremont culture and Ute people. Some of the images tell stories, others are of individual people or animals. It is a beautiful, haunting place to visit.

Ever since the beginning of time, humans have tried to leave their mark in the world. Whether through the scratching of pictures on stone, the etching of initials on a tree, or graffiti on the side of the building, there is something in us that compels us to say, “I WAS HERE!”

Last week I worshipped in my home church. Sitting in that familiar place that raised me in the faith, I was flooded by so many memories—Christmas Eve candlelight services, when we’d sing “Silent Night” a cappella as the light of Christ was passed throughout the colonial church to light our individual candles, giggles shared with high school friends in the choir loft during worship, the felt boards in Sunday School that told various Bible Stories, youth group meetings where we shared communion together in the dark, musty basement of the church…

But more than that, I thought of the people who had lived out their faith commitment by mentoring others, in particularly children and youth like me. I thought of Sunday School teachers (some of whom are still there!), youth group leaders, choir directors, and pastors. Some have joined the Church Triumphant, yet I can picture them as clearly as if we just saw each other. The impact they left on my life—and the life of countless others—lives on. Even though their earthly journey is over, they were HERE and made a difference that continues in the lives of those of us they nurtured and mentored.

What mark will you leave behind? Will there be more than a marking stone at your grave to let the world know you were here? Are you being intentional about what you will leave behind in the lives you currently touch? How are you helping them shape their future?

2 Timothy 2:2 reminds us “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also.”

Mentor others in the faith that has grounded and guided you. It will be your living legacy as those you touch live it out and share it with others as well.