As we sorted through the two big boxes containing photos, cards and memories left behind by my mother, the difference between my sister and me became very clear. Her stacks of photos captured her children (now adults) with various members of our family. She said she was going to show the kids, and anything they didn’t want, she would toss. My stacks of photos were pictures of my childhood and of my parents at various ages throughout their lives. At one point I looked at her and said, “Isn’t it odd that I am the one who hangs on to history and have no heir to share it with?”

While I may not have heirs in the form of children, I have a responsibility to those with whom I share my faith, values and ideals as a follower of Christ. Too often we see our heritage as circumstances of our birth, the passing down of family traits and wealth, our nationality or place of birth. As followers of Christ we have another kind of heritage to transfer to another generation.

One of my Bible college professors said that Christianity was one generation from extinction, always, because it isn’t a birthright or  family asset or nationality. Christianity is a choice made by individuals regardless of all other circumstances. That’s why followers of Christ can be found in countries where nationality implies religious affiliation like Iraq, India, and Israel. They are found in prisons of conscience, of war and of punishment. Followers of Christ exist in places where written language is non-existent and even a few can be found in places of profound learning and an abundance of books. Followers of Christ serve in the military, in the sciences, in the arts, in politics and alongside the church. The family of God is big and diverse.

What is the common thread that holds us together as believers? Is it a birthright? Is it a physical location in the world? Is it a language? Is it a political point of view? Is it a free-market economy or the leader of a country? Is it the color of our skin? Is it our personal rights? Is it our corporate rights? Is the promise of prosperity? Or the hope of the future during times of trial?

Romans 15:7-9: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.”

Bringing Christ to all is done through the breaking down of barriers and loving one another as Christ has loved us. Who are your heirs and what will you leave behind to teach them about what is really important to you?