Friday, February 11, 2011

I Want To Leave A Legacy, How Will They Remember Me?

I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater knowledge,
My hands to larger service,
And my health to better living,
For my club,
My community,
My country,
And my world.

The 4-H pledge. A pledge that anyone who has been to any 4-H event has recited along with thousands of other people across this country. But what does it really stand for? How many of us that were active participants in 4-H actually did something with it to affect others?

These have been some questions at the back of my mind these past 2 days. I've been at home fighting off a cold and working on putting together a presentation that I am giving for a local 4-H group next week. What does it really mean to dedicate yourself to clearer thinking, greater knowledge, larger service and better living for the betterment of your club, community, country and world? Does it mean you spend your whole life working for charity? Start your own non-profit organization? Dedicate your future to overseas missions? Enlist in the armed forces? Or can you go to college, get a nice high paying job, and live the stereotypical "American dream"? I believe all of the above and more qualify as good answers, if done for the correct reasons.

No matter where you are called, or what you decide to do with your life, the "4 Hs" still apply to yourself, and those you interact with, even though it isn't your fellow club members anymore.

I pledge my head to clearer thinking: Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

My heart to greater knowledge: Proverbs 2:1-6 - My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom, and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

My hands to larger service: Matthew 25:37-40 - Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

My health to better living: Matthew 6:23 - The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.

No matter where you are, what your job is, or who you interact with these still apply. They make you who you are, how people know you, and how you will be remembered. What are you going to do about it?

2 comments:

  1. I pledge to do my best at everything I attempt....to glorify my God! :)

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  2. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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