A few weeks ago, a man named Lukas Bates dressed up as Big Ben to run in the London Marathon. I’m sure that Lukas had numerous reasons as to why he would desire to dress up as a landmark and run in the marathon but the one that I’d like to focus on is legacy. Lukas wanted to be remembered for doing something remarkable, that being obtaining the fastest marathon time of any human while dressed as a landmark.

There is a story in Judges 4 that emphasizes the idea of legacy. The story begins with Deborah, one of the judges, charging Barak to go into battle and confront the Canaanites. Although afraid, Barak eventually goes into battle and conquers all of the Canaanites but one, Sisera, Jabin’s general. While on foot, Sisera eventually comes upon the tent of Heber the Kenite and his wife Jael. The Kenites and the Canaanites had good relations so Sisera thought that he had found safe harbor. As the story unfolds, things don’t work out for Sisera. However, they do for Jael.

It is Jael’s actions on that day that define her legacy amongst the Jewish people. She is known as someone who facilitated an extended period of peace for the Jews. In fact, in the song of Deborah in Judges 5:24, the text reads, “Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent-dwelling women most blessed.” Her actions that day shaped her legacy.

Considering one’s legacy is not something that many of us do on a regular basis. However, maybe we should. Perhaps we should give more thought to how our daily actions and how we treat people will shape how we are remembered. This week, reflect on how you’d like to be remembered and what you’d like your legacy to be. After that, do what it takes to ensure your legacy is one to be proud of.