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.
“Respecting the press” in the legacy building, both ours and others that we have the privilege to observe, is a “key.”
What does it mean to be key?
A key is one of the most important determining factors needed to achieve or accomplish something. It provides a clearer or more robust understanding or execution of something desired or needing to be done.
Respect
Respect comes from a Latin word that means “to look back at. Respect is given “after” we do something. Respect is a response to something that causes us to look back at something in wonder or admiration.
Example of Respecting the Press
A friend holds down a full-time job, and while doing that, she also graduates with honors as an attorney. As I looked at their journey, I expressed my respect for handling the heavy load of doing both without ever complaining, giving up, or offering any excuses that would allow them not to attend meetings or meet deadlines. Of course, I had to respect their press!
Whether we are the one pressing or the one that aids or observes them, we all need to rest in the scriptures such as Deuteronomy 31:6 (AMP), “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
To really respect the press in others, we must be grounded in the goodness of God and what He has for us, or we will struggle truly fully respecting the successful press of others.
Our press will never look like others, so we need to avoid comparison so that our press can be pure and full of the truth of God’s goodness and calling in our life.
Goodness
Scripture says that God is good. It’s not just what he does because it is who He is. And He never changes. In Psalm 46, the psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble.” And this is why we can say with absolute confidence that God is good.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Calling
A calling is our vocation (which comes from the Latin for “call”) that may be professional or voluntary. Our Calling is from God, and finding it is part of our walking out of our personal salvation. In the finding and the walking in, our calling will require us to press.
Philippines 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The root for the word “press” is the combination of the Latin word “premier” and the old French word “pressure.” Thus, moving toward a goal, facing “premier pressure”: is the press.
Press is one-sided action against or toward a predetermined fixed item or destination. When we press, we gain respect, and we inspire others to do the same. We need to respect the press in our journey and the journey of others. We may not understand the personal press of others, but understanding is not required to it. But recognizing and respecting the press in others helps to tame pride in us.
Building anything, let alone our legacy is a daily press, ordained and ordered by our purpose and calling. Respecting the press is the fuel used by us all as we build a well-crafted and intentional legacy. Respect the press, always!.
To listen to the podcast about “Respecting the Press,” 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.
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