Today's Passage:  2 Chronicles 21-22

 If you could pick right now, what would you want your gravestone to say?  Would you quote a Scripture?  Possibly write some piece of poetry or famous literature?  Would you write, "Here lays ________, who has passed away to no one's regret"?  The first two seem reasonable, right?  But the last one just seems absurd!  Well as silly as it sounds, that is how Jehoram is remembered in 2 Chronicles 21.  Jehoram is known as one of the worst kings Israel ever had (to put this in perspective, Israel had a LOT of bad kings over the years not just one or two).

Jehoram left a legacy of hatred, selfishness, and ungodly character.  What kind of legacy do you think you will leave?  While no one reading this blog could even come close to the horrific things Israel's king did, there may still be room for improvement in your spiritual life.  What are some things you and I should be remembered for?  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (sound familiar?), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Gal. 5:22-23) is what we should be remembered for.  So could Galatians 5 be a true description of your legacy? If we are honest, most of us fall short on this from time to time.

As to not leave us all feeling guilty about those characteristics that we are not acing, there is a way to maintain these characteristics on a consistent basis.  But it does not involve some weird spiritual practice.  It does not even involve trying hard per se (which is usually what we try to do).  The answer is to, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33a).  To leave a true, worth-while legacy, we must put God first in every single thing we do.  And I have some great news, we have the opportunity to seek Him first starting...............................Now!