If tomorrow wasn’t promised, what would you give for today?

Live Well. Leave Well.

Begin with the end in mind.

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If tomorrow wasn't promised...
Ray Lewis, all-pro linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens, once said, "If tomorrow wasn't promised, what would you give for today?" What we do today determines who we become tomorrow. Small decisions that we make, those seemingly insignificant choices, put us on a path that determine the direction and destination of our lives. Ultimately, the legacy we leave behind will simply be a compilation of daily choices. The decisions we make today determine the story that will be told about us tomorrow. What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

"The future is just a whole lot of things 
you're doing right now strung together."

Begin with the end in mind.
Steven Covey, the author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, lists, "begin with the end in mind" as Habit #2. We all end up somewhere, but very few of us end up there on purpose. It takes more than good intentions. When we don't have a clear picture of where we are going, it's hard to take steps today to get there. If you want to leave a lasting legacy, then you need to begin today with the end in mind. Legacy has two key ingredients: vision and wisdom.

First ingredient is vision.
Having a godly vision creates clarity. Without it we encounter confusion. In Proverbs 29:18 it states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

If we have no vision from God about…

• Our finances, we find ourselves in debt.
• Our family, we find ourselves detached.
• Our health, we find ourselves diseased.
• Our life, we find ourselves derailed.

God delights in giving His children access to His plans for their lives. Then He asks us to take action and walk by faith, unfolding His story as we walk with Him. Legacy always starts with a clear vision.

Second ingredient is wisdom.
Wisdom is skill for living. When we lack wisdom, we often make foolish decisions. We will exchange what is important for instant gratification. We will waste time, because we don't understand the value of every moment.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." – Psalm 90:12

If we understand that life is very short, then we learn to count our days and make our days count. We have a growing sense of urgency to make a difference and also a sense of peace as we live according to His plan. God's priorities become our priorities and are led to maximize every moment and opportunity. Leaving a lasting legacy and the mark of Christ requires walking daily in wisdom.

WisdomWalkers, it's time begin with the end in mind. We need to ask God for a clear vision and the wisdom necessary to make decisions and take action that put us on the path to a lasting, Christ-centered legacy. When we live well each day, we will leave well when our time is done.

Begin with the end in mind.

Take Action:

1. Do you have a clear vision for the future? Has God given you divine revelation for key areas of your life?
2. In what areas do you particularly need God's wisdom right now?
3. How might decisions you make today lead to the legacy you leave tomorrow?