There is no question that when we live well for the Lord, we can inspire others to live for the Lord too. In fact, one of life's challenges is to live life in such a way where we are a source of inspiration to others. That’s why how we live our lives matters. In this regard, Caleb has led the way to show us what we can do to be a source of inspiration to others. One orientation we need to adopt is to realize that success is not just about accomplishing great things all the time. It is also about what we do to leave a legacy behind so that the subsequent generation could be inspired.
In Joshua 15:13-19, Caleb became a source of inspiration for the next generation. He bravely took on the giants and drove them out of the land where he was apportioned. Then he offered the hand of his daughter in marriage to the person who dared to go up against the inhabitants of Debir and capture it. What he did was so inspiring that it was rubbed off on Othniel, who went on to capture Debir or Kiriath-Sepher. Othniel also went on to become a judge in the land (Judges 3:7-11). Caleb’s faith also motivated his own daughter, whom he had given to Othniel in marriage, that she was motivated to ask her daddy for a field. And as if that was not enough, she also audaciously asked for a spring of water so that her field could be irrigated. In a real sense, Caleb’s faith left an indelible mark on his family. What about us? How has our children's faith been challenged by ours? The first area we need to be an inspiration of faith is in our home.
It is said that “Excess is keeping much to yourself, but success is giving much of yourself to others.” Let us make it our aim to live life to the fullest, to love others as best as we can and also to learn as much from life as we possibly can and then to leave behind a rich legacy before we bow out of this world. So that long after we are gone, what we have left behind will continue to impact subsequent generations for a long time to come. And we are not just talking about leaving behind material goods but a rich spiritual legacy. We want all our sons, our daughters and our children’s children to trust the Lord and follow Him as we do. What a glorious goal!
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