One of the greatest turning points in our life is when we gain the knowledge and understanding that God has given us a purpose-designed life and the power to execute it under His watchful love and grace. This awareness also reveals how in every legacy, God embeds the responsibility and joy of bringing change to our life and the lives of others for our good and His glory.
The ability to “Keep Company” is foundational in building our legacy because it trains us to be His representative without any regard to what we are building at the moment. It is one of the truest senses of giving away from ourselves.
In Old English, “keep” is “cēpan” meaning to take in, care for, or attend to. Is that not what God does with us? He takes in, cares for us, attends to us as our loving God. “Company” means to welcome opening, share fully without regret. Again, does this not remind us of Jesus receiving us into His family. Opening and fully without regret, He accepts us into Salvation and the family of God.
Example of “keeping company”
You are on your way to visit an aging family member or friend, and someone calls you and asks, “What are you doing?’ Your response is, ” I am on my way to keep my Mom, Dad, or fill in the blank, company this afternoon. When you tell them this response, they do not ask for details because they know that “keeping company” is not about what we do but about being present. Think about it if our response is, “I am on my way to the mall.” Instead, they respond, “What are you looking for?” Keeping company is full-on its own, without explanation, just as the love of God is. Praise God for those that “keep company with us or those we love.”
Keeping company is an offering of unconditional love. Love that does not attach itself to any previous, current, or future behavior. It is a right now act of kindness, right at that moment in time. So whether it was preplanned, scheduled, or a last-minute request, when we enter into the “keeping company,” it is about that moment.
To keep company, we need to set aside our needs and plans, which can be hard, especially in our digital world. Keeping company is not being physically present but emotionally or mentally elsewhere. We need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally present at rest, right there in their presence.
To keep company, it is necessary to learn so that as we build our legacy, we can stop and be used by God just to be Him in those moments to someone else. Be available to be led by God for keeping company; remember He know what we need. Both us and the ones He leads us to keep company with.
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye, therefore, like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.
Everything we learn in building our legacy is for many purposes. First, keep company teaches us to show His love and grace and allows us to be an example of His healing power the keeping company can be. Keeping company heals areas we do not see as hurting or damaged. That is why we need to go and keep company without expectations but to be available and at peace in the presence of others.
The concept of keeping company is often pushed aside with our busy lives. Still, when we understand that building our legacy is intentional yet carefully planned by God, we will enjoy those times ordained and ordered by Him. As His, be aware of those in your life with who you can keep company. This principle changes you, others and is pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 9:8-10
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
To listen to the podcast about “Keeping Company,” click here.
Those topics are just of the few that are included in the “Legacy Tips” podcast. Because life is crazy and busy, each of them is ten minutes or less.
Remember, that legacy is the life we live, the choices we make, the truths we share, and the love we unconditionally give, knowing no one is perfect, but we can all bear fruit and fruit that will remain.
Click here if you would like these Legacy posts to be sent to your email as they are published.