Digging for the Future!

Pastor Matt Gregor prepares to dig

On Sunday, at Vazon Elim Church in Guernsey, we held a little ground-breaking ceremony for the new youth and children’s suite that will be erected on the site shortly. This exciting project will provide much needed extra space for activities that young people and children will enjoy. Being there, and being part of this significant moment, started me thinking about the kind of legacy that we will leave for the generations to come. It has been said that as we go through life, we are all planting trees under which other people will find shade, so we need to think about the kind of legacy impact that our lives are making.

Hayden Batiste (6) digs!

When I use the word legacy, I’m not referring to property or the savings that we might squirrel away for our heirs. I’m thinking more about the influence, example and character investment that we put aside for all who will come after us, whether our children or not.

Recently our local paper, the Guernsey Press, paid a fulsome tribute to the late Eric Waldron, co-founder of the Salemites Cricket Club out of the Salem Methodist Youth Club. The headline was ‘An Inspirational Gentleman whose Legacy will Endure’. It told how he never judged or turned a player away, was always cheerful, generous and never expected any reward. I think that his reward was probably seeing youngsters that he had coached, trained and developed, going on to become good players and more importantly, better people for the investment of his time and energy. 

I'm glad to be part of a church community that prizes its children and young people, treasures the opportunity to make a difference in their lives, and recognises the importance of legacy. After all, Jesus wanted his followers to make room for little children to come to him, as he had plans for their lives too. 

Now, that's a great legacy!