Why Your Greatest Legacy Has Nothing to Do With Your DNA
by Stephanie Ferguson
We all spend time thinking about the mark we will leave on the world. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, single, or married, you likely have a deep desire to make your life count. You know that everything you have—your time, your talents, and your resources—is a gift from God.
The big question we all face is this: How do I make sure my life makes a lasting mark for the Kingdom?
Expanding the Circle of Love: A Family Beyond Biology
We often think of a "legacy" as passing something down to our biological children. But in God’s Kingdom, family is much bigger than DNA. A true spiritual legacy moves through us to others. It includes the people whose lives are transformed because you chose to show up.
You don't need to be a parent to leave a legacy. In God’s ever-growing family, we are all called to be spiritual mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. When you partner with Women on Mission International (WOMI), you are claiming your place in this global family. You are becoming a spiritual parent to children in Malawi who are learning the Good News, and a sister to women who are being empowered to change their villages.
Spreading the J.A.M. (Jesus and Missions)
This is what Barbara Koob, President of WOMI, calls "spreading the J.A.M."—sharing Jesus and Missions. It’s about more than just sending aid; it’s about going, praying, and connecting.
When you join this movement, your legacy travels to places you may never visit personally. It becomes woven into the stories of people you may never meet, creating a ripple effect of grace. That woman you pray for goes on to impact her neighbors; that child you help support grows up to influence their community. Changing the world – one person at a time!
Ways to Plant Your Seeds
Leaving a legacy isn't just about writing a check; it's about planting seeds of faith in many different ways:
Pray: Join us in interceding for the nations. As we’ve seen with our National Days of Prayer, a single person on their knees can shift the atmosphere of an entire country.
Go: Consider joining us on a short-term trip to "spread the J.A.M." yourself. There is nothing like looking into the eyes of your spiritual family and worshipping together.
Give: If you feel led, your financial partnership helps build training centers and provides resources for the harvest.
Share: Tell others about the work God is doing. Your voice can inspire someone else to find their purpose.
Leaving a Mark on Eternity
A spiritual legacy is simply about what we value most. But to leave one, we must expand our definition of family. In the Kingdom of God, titles like "mother," "sister," and "daughter" are not defined by biology alone. We are all spiritual daughters of the King, and because of that, we are all sisters. Whether you have children of your own or not, you possess a spiritual capacity to nurture, protect, and guide others. You are called to be a spiritual mother to the motherless and a sister to those walking alone.
While it is beautiful to pour into the lives of your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, Jesus invites us to look further. He challenges us to lift our eyes beyond our own bloodlines to see the spiritual legacy we are building in the Kingdom. By partnering with Women on Mission International (WOMI), you are saying, "I believe in God's work, and I want to be part of changing lives, even if I never meet those people on this side of heaven."
This is a gift that keeps on giving. It is a legacy that outlasts finances and heirlooms. It lives on in the lessons learned by those watching you—seeing that your love isn't limited to your own circle—and in the lives saved around the world. Together, let’s embrace our roles as spiritual mothers and sisters, building a legacy of faith that reaches beyond our walls and expands the circle of love for eternity.
#SpiritualLegacy, #WomenOnMission, #FaithInAction, #LoveYourNeighbor, #GenerationalFaith, #KingdomImpact
