For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
Have you ever started a project that you couldn’t finish? Have you wished you had said something heartfelt and meaningful to a friend or family member, but it never happened?
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A better question may be, “What do you want your legacy to be?”
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The first question is easy to answer. The second question may unsettle you. A better question may be, “What do you want your legacy to be?”
Recently, eight men descended upon Pine Valley for a whirlwind experience of great golf, hospitality, and fellowship.
For the LINKS players in the group, we considered it a missional experience, and it was a success. Walking a golf course and sharing meals gave us all opportunities for great conversations. One of the more interesting discussions was about the founder and golf course architect, George Crump.
Crump and several others made up the “Philadelphia School” of golf course architecture. Together, the group designed over 300 courses, 27 of which are in the world’s top 100 golf courses.
Pine Valley opened in 1913 and was considered the most challenging course in the world and remains one of the top five most challenging, with a 153-slope rating from the middle tees. It was ranked the number one course in Golf Magazine‘s 100 Top Courses in the United States and the world in 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2020.
During the construction of Pine Valley Golf Club, marshlands had to be drained, and approximately 22,000 tree stumps had to be pulled out with special steam-winches and horse-drawn cables. This was done when many golf courses were built with minimal earth moving. Some called the course “Crump’s Folly.”
George died before the course was finished, and others completed holes twelve through fifteen. Many speculations swirl surrounding the cause of his death. Some people suggest he died by suicide.
Here is what we know with certainty. He left a fantastic legacy of extraordinary golf courses and a golf tournament named after him, The Crump Cup. This is an invitation-only event for the top amateurs in the world.
The apostle Paul’s legacy is quite different. One might argue that a considerable part of his legacy should include his contagious joy. This theme is prominent in his letter to the Philippians, especially considering that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from prison.
We usually contrast happiness with joy. Happiness is often dependent upon our circumstances. When the big business deal falls apart, or our toys no longer provide satisfaction, happiness flees, and despair sets in.
Joy runs deeper and stronger; it is the confidence that Jesus will be there no matter the circumstances. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s theme of joy in this short letter appears sixteen times in four chapters, culminating with the exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say again: Rejoice!”
What legacy will you leave? Like Paul, let’s strive to leave a legacy of joy. The God who began a good work in us continues throughout our lifetime until we meet him face to face.
God’s redeeming work was historically accomplished when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work to us, for us, and in us continues in the person and power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Christ is making us more like Christ daily.
Prayer – Father, help us to remember Paul’s words, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord….”