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In Luke 8, Jesus meets a man oppressed by a legion of demons. Jesus cast the demons out of the man, and he was saved, set free, and sent on mission. Jesus tells the man, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you” (verse 39). He listened and “went away proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” Historians have hypothesized that this man went on to flip his city upside down for the gospel and leave a legacy of freedom and joy in Jesus for generations to come.

Since I met Christ, I have thought a lot about what my life will mean. As I’ve attended more funerals, I’ve heard many speeches and gazed at many tombstones. I’ve sometimes wondered, What will people say at my funeral? What difference will I make? What will the dash between my birth date and death date represent? What will my life speak when I’m not here anymore? What will change in eternity because of my life? What legacy will I leave?

For many people with pasts like you and me, the answer to that question is to stay sober or not be addicted anymore. This is definitely a noble cause worth shooting for, but I believe God has more in store. 

Jesus didn’t just tell the demoniac to attempt not be possessed by demons anymore but told him to spend the rest of his life making an eternal impact and leaving a legacy. Jesus’s words are still speaking to you. “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” Devote the rest of your life to leaving something that will outlive your life and will matter in eternity. Your remaining years are exploding with kingdom potential.

APPLICATION:

• If you have yet to turn your entire life over to Christ, do it now. Get on your knees and genuinely repent, turning everything over to Him.
• Spend some time dreaming about what you want your life to mean. What is God saying? Write it down, and put it somewhere you can see it.
• Thank God for saving you, setting you free, and satisfying your soul. Ask Him to use your life for His glory and your joy.
• If you would like a more robust version of this content, you can purchase The Real Answer to Addiction book on Amazon here .