What is your “family story?” Do you have a great family with a solid legacy? Does your family last name carry weight in your community? If so you should thank God for that. But what if it doesn’t? Maybe your family name carries some negative vibes with people in the area. If that is your family story… I have good news for you. It is possible to create a generational shift in your family and it could start with you. The truth is that you can create a generational shift in the family tree for good or bad. Why? Because the Bible says that ultimately every one of us must give an answer for ourselves before God.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
Whether you have a great family or are fatherless or motherless and trying to survive, the reality is that God can take your circumstances and do amazing and mighty things with your life. It may be hard to imagine today but one day you will likely have a family of your own and your children… the next generation of the family tree… could do great things for God based on the direction you choose today. So know that you may be facing challenges but if you choose to “own your own faith” and take personal responsibility for your own spiritual growth, you can experience the wonderful opportunity for God to change things in your family for generations.
In the book, “All Pro Dad” the story is told of two men who made decisions that created a family legacy. Read these two stories carefully and commit yourself now before God that you will be the agent of change in your family tree.
The definition of “legacy” is “something handed down from one who has gone before.”
A man named Jonathan Edwards left a legacy. He attended Yale University at age 13 and eventually became the President of Yale University. At age 20 he wrote a list of “personal resolutions” that he would live by. His resolve was strongest in his commitment to be a good father.
Benjamin Warfield, a Princeton professor researched the descendants of Jonathan Edwards years after his death. He found 1394 descendants. Here is what he found…
13 college presidents, 65 college professors, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 authors, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 pastors, 3 United States Senators, 80 public servants in other capacities including governors and ministers to foreign countries and 1 Vice President.
A man named Max Jukes lived about the same time as Jonathan Edwards. He also left a legacy. Jukes had a serious drinking problem which kept him from holding down a job. It also kept him from showing much concern for his wife and children. Of his 540 known descendants here is what is known…
30 died in poverty, 150 were criminals, 7 were murderers, 100+ were alcoholics, and half of the females were prostitutes.
Remember this… the way you choose to parent will affect your children, your grandchildren and beyond. There is a “five-generation rule” that is illustrated in Edwards and Jukes. Everyone leaves a legacy… with God’s help yours can be life-changing for years to come.
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
