Our Spiritual Heritage

Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Hundreds of years ago, an ancestor of mine was a mercenary soldier. He crossed the sea to work for the British Army, but once he landed here in the colonies, he defected and fought on behalf of the American forces. After the War of Independence ended, he lived on a well-known general’s land until settling down in his own home. Rumor is that the woman he married was a spy for the French during the war.

I love hearing stories about the past, but knowing that a particular story is interwoven into who I am today makes it even more special.

Family genealogy fascinates me, but the rich spiritual heritage I possess is even more valuable. My parents became Christians in their twenties, and I grew up knowing about Jesus and the radical life change he had wrought in their lives. Even now, if you walk into my parents’ home in the early morning hours, you’re likely to see them sitting quietly in the living room with coffee in hand, a Bible open beside them.

I’m grateful for my family’s spiritual background, even though I know that’s not everyone’s story. Thankfully, our heritage can encompass far more than our family. The testimonies we hear from others and the way we see God’s work in the lives of those around us contribute to it. My spiritual upbringing includes the leaders who poured into my childhood, the mentor I met for coffee in college, the pastors who have made biblical concepts relevant to everyday life, and the friends who continue to challenge and renew my faith with gentle questions and a loving community.

Those who shape our spiritual heritage encourage us with a clear call to live a life of faithfulness, and that shapes who we are and what we know to be true about Jesus. The stories we, in turn, choose to tell of God’s faithfulness are not only a reminder of the past; they are part of the legacy we are passing on to those around us.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Consider who has contributed to your spiritual heritage. If possible, reach out to them to express your thanks.