A couple years ago, we crossed off a long-awaited item on our bucket list. We always wanted to pull our travel trailer across the states on an extended camping excursion, but we could never settle on the right time or destination. So, we loaded up the kids, truck, and travel trailer and embarked on an adventure through Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas.
One of the most memorable places we visited was Mesa Verde National Park, located west of Durango. We decided to register for a couple of their cliff dwelling tours. The cliff dwellings were literally carved out of the rock on the side of steep cliffs. We’re talking drop-offs, as in: Straight. Down.
The Balcony House was the first stop on the tour and seemed to make the biggest impression in my mind and my heart. Our guide posed an interesting question to the group: “How could we know or learn anything about the people who lived here, if we weren’t alive during their time?” The group threw out a few guesses, and then the guide replied, “You may be surprised to know the answer. We have learned much about these people by going through what they have left behind. Basically, you could say we looked through their trash.” Then he posed a question that had me thinking: “What would people say about you, if they went through your trash? What would others know or learn about you if they came upon what you had left behind?” I was grinning ear to ear because we can fill up a dumpster each week with just our little family of 4!!! But then my heart became heavy as I began to listen to the responses from the crowd and realize the truth and what we do not often consider. The list of items we throw away would suggest a somewhat materialistic draw to our lives. We may want to think more highly of ourselves, but the truth is we usually don’t leave behind animal bones, animal skins, dishes, and tools like this people group did so long ago. Our trash cans are full of the stuff we buy at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Amazon, Home Depot, McDonalds, etc.
The tour continued and we moved on in exploration, but I spent a few moments camped out in my mind, pondering the tour guide’s question: “What would people learn about us after we’re gone?” When we leave this earth, and others come behind, what remnants will they stumble upon or dig up? Will there be evidence that we shared our faith? Will they know we loved God and honored Him? Will they know we loved the church, shared the Gospel, and grew the kingdom? Will they know about Christ because of the testimony and witness we leave behind?
The tour was great! Actually, if you have teenagers, it is a fun tour to do together as a family. Very hands-on. I will remember all the ladders, the narrow tunnel, and seeing the rock carved in amazing ways with meticulous detail. But what I am most thankful for, is the challenge I left with that day: to take a look at my life and consider how I am making sure my kids (and someday perhaps my grandkids) know that I serve a mighty God, that He is gracious and merciful, and that the best decision I ever made was making Him Lord of my life. It challenged me to keep sharing my testimony with my kids even when it doesn’t seem they’re paying attention. I left that place challenged to live out my faith in real life.
I pray our generation will leave enough behind that those generations who come up after us will be able to say we were a people of God, who loved Him and served Him.
Psalm 78:1, 3-7 “Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,”
Some of my most treasured possessions are family bibles. Especially the ones that have notes and markings inside the pages. I love to go through and see what was noted in the margins and the mementos they hid in between the pages. This may sound corny, but I have highlighted, marked up, and written in every available space of my own personal Bible. The margins are full and I have taped and stuffed in copies of things I’ve found from other pastors, commentaries, books, and bible teachers. In the back of my mind, I think to myself, “What if someone found this 100 years from now and they read all these things!”
I have a copy of my great-great-grandfather’s journal documenting one year of his life. Each daily entry included a Scripture passage that he had read and a description of what he had done each day, including the places he traveled and visited. I’m so glad he left that behind! It has great value to me and inspired me to make sure my descendants know about the God I serve through His Word and His work in my life. I can’t give my descendants salvation and I can’t give them my faith. But I can lead them to the One who is able to save. The One with whom they can build a personal relationship and have real live faith of their own.