Not long ago, our oldest grandson asked Ron and me if we had to read Macbeth in school. We said we had, and I asked him if he’d read Romeo and Juliet. Before he could answer, I blew layers of dust off the centuries-old “what-light-through-yonder-window-breaks” quote I’d memorized 50 years ago. After delivering it with all the dramatic flair I could muster, I looked at Ron. I knew what was coming. With heartfelt emotion, he poured out the lines from Macbeth I’d heard him quote many times,
“Out, out brief candle. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”
-William Shakespeare
Shakespeare and Solomon had much in common. Both pondered the meaning of life. Shakespeare wove together common themes of ambition and power, betrayal and jealousy, love and romance, and life and death. God’s story in Scripture unfolds these themes as well. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon investigated the things of life and realized that a God-centered life was more important than one centered on self. Solomon wrote,
“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT)
We all like to think we will be remembered when we’re gone. We pass down family recipes, good silverware, and money in the bank in a comforting attempt to link our yesterdays to our tomorrows. These tangible things remind us to remember the lives of those who’ve gone before us and commit to leaving a legacy to those coming behind us. But what kind of legacy should we leave?
Tangible things have meaning, but it’s God’s love conveyed through hand-me-down stories, cheerful attitudes, and acts of kindness that settles deep into the marrow of our bones. Asaph penned a song saying the same thing:
“We’ve heard true stories from our fathers about our rich heritage. We will continue to tell our children and not hide from the rising generation the great marvels of our God – his miracles and power that have brought us all this far.” (Psalm 78:1-3 TPT)
Telling God-stories paints broad, contagious smiles on our faces. A smile is such a simple thing, but it holds great power. It is the outward expression of the joy we have inside. I’ve tried to be more intentional about wearing one because God has convinced me of His love and increased my joy. He recently reminded me of the importance of outward joy with a sweet confirmation.
My friend’s mother went to be with Jesus this week, but her last words to me are some I will always treasure. As I left her hospital room, I leaned over her bed and took her hand. She looked up at me, smiled her sweet smile, and said, “You have the prettiest smile. I love you!” Confirmation received. Thank you, God, for letting me understand that a legacy can be built on something as simple as a smile.
What’s a simple thing you can do to build a legacy? Could you write an encouraging note, tell a God-story, share some music, or sit quietly and listen to a friend or a child? You are not a poor player who frets and struts across life’s stage. You are a child of God, His special possession. Your life may be filled with sound and fury right now, but you are not an idiot. Your life is not insignificant. Your life spans the distance between the love you’ve received and the love you can give. Those coming behind you are counting on you to roll out the red carpet of God’s love living in you.
“Those who give thanks that Jesus is the Son of God live in God, and God lives in them. We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them.” (1 John 4:15-16 TPT)
That’s something to smile about!
