Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
“It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.”
Branch Rickey in Rickey and Robinson: The Men Who Broke Baseball’s Color Barrier (New York: Taylor Trade, 1982) 58.
Thanks for the prayers for me as I officiated Dan Busby’s online memorial service yesterday from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It was an unforgettable experience and a recording will be available in the coming days.
In my last conversation with Dan, I let him know that his earthly ministry was drawing to a close. But soon he’d be more alive than ever. I added that he would join the cloud of great cloud of witnesses and simply asked that as a good baseball fan, he would cheer me on. His reply, “With you!”
Branch Rickey believed in a ball player named Jackie Robinson. Dan Busby believed in me. It was a generous gift. Who might you believe in? Your words can give them confidence to run the race marked for them. Your encouragement can make all the difference. It can help the persevere in times of trial.
Rickey and Robinson left behind a heritage that would change sports and change the world. Each of us can have the same impact. Dan Busby gave his life to helping churches and ministries follow standards in the USA and planted seeds for the global movement.
He planted those in me. I am his heritage. Will I let it stop with me or will I plant seeds in the lives of people all over the world? Each of us has people whose lives we can touch for eternity. Let’s generously sow in them. Intentional effort in this area is work but can multiply our impact.
We also learn in Psalm 127:3 that “children are a heritage from the LORD.” That means everyone who has children can leave a heritage that has impact far beyond our own lives. I’m growing convinced that this is one of our greatest areas of generosity.