– May 30, 2018 –

Earlier this week, I was driving through a terrible rain and hailstorm. Thick, heavy rain drops drastically reduced visibility while the sound of the hailstones against my car’s roof and windshield was nearly overwhelming. Drivers, struggling to maintain safety, crept along the interstate slowly. After nearly fifteen minutes of traveling through this storm, I went around a curve and under a bridge causing a change in my sight picture. A beautiful rainbow stood off in the distance. The rain fell just as persistently and the hail continued to ricochet off of my car, but the rainbow remained beautiful and majestic, undeterred by it all.  

During this moment, I felt the Lord speak to my heart, “even through the storm, daughter, the rainbows of my promises stand sure.” This word of encouragement and insight alludes back to Moses as he was just finishing his journey on the arc. After the great flood subsided, the Lord placed a rainbow in the sky as evidence of the covenant and promise the Lord made with Moses to never again flood the earth (Gen 9:11-13). That promise stands true today, and the rainbow is a symbol of the promise of our King. In the middle of that terrible storm, the Lord was reminding me that His promises will not be changed or affected, regardless of the severity or character of the storm (Matt 14:29) (Luke 8:20-25). I can trust that His Word is true. My heart was filled with a greater measure of peace and reassurance at these words.  

As I continued driving through the storm, I could see a little rainbow formed as light hit the water droplets kicked up into the air by the tired of the car in front of me. Admiring these little rainbows, I could hear the still small voice of the Lord over my heart again. This time, though, He asked me a question: “Daughter, what does it mean to live a life that leaves promises in your footsteps for those coming up behind you to step into?”  

My heart was struck. For several months, one of the themes of the time I have spent with the Lord has been centered around dreaming and promises, but also living a life of legacy that offers a solid platform for the people coming after me. Up until that moment, I had never connected the two notions. However, this idea is entirely biblical.

Among the great stories and lives of the Bible that demonstrate this principle, King David along with Elijah and Elisha come to mind. Acting as a foreshadow of Christ Jesus, King David demonstrated what a powerful, good, and merciful king was like. The way He lived his life allowed the Lord to place promises in David’s life that would later be fulfilled by Jesus (1 Kings 2:25) (Matt 1). The dynamic of inheriting promises is also seen in the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. Elijah taught Elisha everything he knew and even left that profound blessing that everything attributed to Elijah would be doubly available for Elisha (2 Kings 2:15-25). Thus, Elisha was able to leave behind strengths, wisdom, and promises for Elisha to step into. These two stories, along with many others, demonstrate this principle and the potential for significant impact that it holds.  

Knowing the biblical significance of living a life that leaves behind promises for others to step into, we must consider, then, what this type it looks like, practically, to lead such a life.  

This is a process, much like building. The foundation is a deep, dynamic, and intentional relationship with the Lord. Time spent in the secret place directly correlates to our capacity to walk with the Lord and dream with Him. Creating history with the Lord allows us to co-author with Him environments that welcome promises. We certainly can walk through the journey of life alone though. In seeking to leave promises waiting to be fulfilled by others coming after us requires that we live well rooted in gospel-based communities now (1 Thess 5:11) (Rom 1:12). Communities offer protection and encouragement for our hearts, and by extension our dreams. Therefore, it is imperative that we walk well in community now in order for the next person, or next generation to realize fulfilled dreams. Finally, we must recognize the impact of our daily decisions now (Josh 1:6) (Ps 16:6) (Prov 20:21). To be sure, this is inclusive of the time that we spend in the secret place and our community bonds, but it also applies to our lifestyles as a whole. Do we truly walk in peace (Ps 37:11)? Is humility an integral part of our character (Matt 5:5)? Are we willing to die to ourselves and our wants in order to see Kingdom life come in other areas (Rom 8:6)?  

These questions then become our starting point. I would encourage you, Dear Saints, to place your heart in the Lord’s hands and ask Him these questions. Let this discussion serve as the catalyst for seeking the Lord at even greater depths and intentionally building a life that leaves behind promises for others to step into. And surely, not only will your heart grow closer to the Lord, but on that great and final day, part of the impact of those fulfilled promises will be attributed to you. And ultimately, the Kingdom will be advanced and the church will be ready on that day, all to the praise of the Son.