Posted by Proverbs 30 raises many questions for me as I read it. Proverbs 30:1 tells us that these words were written by a man named Agur son of Jakeh. I really appreciate that he gets that out of the way right off the bat! Armed with his name, I set off on a searching spree to find out more information about this elusive author, but my searching came up relatively empty.
At first, I was annoyed by this. I wanted an answer because I love figuring things out; I wanted to be able to wow you with my researching skills. I longed to be able to share something with you that you didn’t know before. But then my perspective changed. I realized that finding out information about this writer wasn’t the most important thing. In fact, if there’s little known about this guy, that’s probably for a strategic reason—if God wanted us to know about this author, he would’ve dished all the dirt on him, but he didn’t. Instead, we only have this isolated chapter.
What a beautiful picture of how the Lord works!
I don’t have to be famous, on a stage or television, or the leader of a Fortune 500 Company to make a difference in the world—I just have to be me! I have to use the gifts and the opportunities that God has entrusted to me for his glory and the good of others. I can choose to leave a legacy using what’s right in front of me. After all, little by little we are trusted with more.
The truth is that day by day, minute by minute, we’re building a legacy. We’re compiling attitudes, words, projects, products, relationships, worldviews, and more that influence how we interact with the world around us. The things we say, the time we invest in others, the works we create, and the way we live will outlast us, even though we often forget this important fact.
Every day we’re presented with the opportunity to build something that’s going to outlast us, the question is: what legacy are you leaving?
Centuries after his death, Agur is still known and his words are still being read. Though little else is known about him, he is recognized for his wisdom and his incredible example to others. That sounds like a pretty good legacy to me!
This chapter reminds me of the truth that what we do for God remains, even long after we’re gone. The wealth we amass or don’t, the things we create or don’t, the things we consume or don’t aren’t going to last, but the way we interact with people, the righteousness we display in our lives, and the wisdom we exercise will outlast us.
Agur reminds me that the goal for our lives doesn’t have to be a certain number of followers, a certain amount in the bank account, or a certain level of notoriety, but should be to love God and love people, which is the wisest thing we can possibly do!
What legacy do you want to leave?
What’s one thing you can do to positively impact those in your sphere of influence today?
To go Deeper: Read Leave a Legacy
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Work in Progress 
I personally find that if I worry too much about my legacy, I end up chasing the wrong thing and get off track – it’s much more productive to simplify a bit, ask God what he wants, and go from there. Just me.
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I definitely think there’s a balance. When I focus too much on my legacy that I’m leaving I can become obsessed with building my own kingdom. When I don’t think about leaving a legacy then I can get miopic in my thinking and focus on myself more than anything else. I think too far to either extreme is unhealthy.
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When I wake each day and pray, I consider the fact that all I say and do will be how my children and husband remember me. If I’m tired or irritable, that fact often helps me change my mood and demeanor and allows the Holy Spirit control.
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That’s such a good perspective! It’s amazing how our actions can so heavily influence those around us!
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