Building a Bridge to Eternity: What Will Your Legacy Be?

✨ “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

A Reunion in Heaven

Imagine this moment.

You’re walking through the beauty of Heaven—peaceful, whole, full of joy. There’s no more pain, no more sorrow, and the burdens of earth have finally faded.

And then… you see him.

Your grandson.

The one who was so far from God when you passed.

A kid that didn’t come to your funeral.

The one you prayed for—agonized over—but never got to see come home.

Tears fill your eyes as he runs toward you, arms open, joy on his face. You embrace him like no time has passed, like all the brokenness has been erased.

Then he speaks:

“Grandma… Grandpa… I found Jesus. I finally found Him.”

You’re speechless. You ask, “How? When?”

He tells you about a young man who became a pastor—someone you barely remember. But you do remember helping him go to church camp when he was just a teenager. He was the quiet one, unsure of his faith. But at that camp, something changed. He gave his life to Christ. Years later, he followed the call to ministry… and it was that young man who returned to your hometown, built a relationship with your grandson, and eventually led him to Jesus.

And in that moment, it all makes sense.

That one small investment—years ago—became a bridge to eternity.

A dusty attic with two old suitcases sitting under a beam of light from a small window, surrounded by aged wood and cobwebs. — He packed it for Heaven… but it never left the attic.

You Can’t Take It With You… But You Can Miss the Blessing

We all know the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” But sometimes we still try.

“After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.”

— 1 Timothy 6:7 (NLT)

There’s an old story about a man who was incredibly wealthy. As he neared death, he withdrew all his money from the bank, stuffed it into two large suitcases, and placed them in the attic. His plan? On his way to Heaven, he’d grab the suitcases and take his fortune with him.

A few days later, he passed away. As friends and family gathered to comfort his widow, she shared the story of the suitcases. Then suddenly she stood up, eyes wide.

“I’ve got to check something!”

She rushed up to the attic—and sure enough, there sat the two suitcases, untouched and full of cash. Shaking her head, she turned to her friend and said:

“I told him he should’ve put them in the basement.”

It’s a lighthearted story with a very real truth:

You can’t take it with you.

But what if you’re also missing out on the blessing of using it while you’re here—for something that truly matters?

A diverse group of people building a wooden bridge that ascends into the sky, working together with tools under a dramatic, light-filled sky. — Together, we build the bridge to eternity—one life, one act of faith at a time.

Legacy Isn’t What You Leave Behind—It’s What You Build That Lasts

Some people are called to preach.

Others are called to teach.

You may not feel called to do either.

But make no mistake—you are called to make an impact.

God has uniquely blessed you. He’s entrusted you with resources, experiences, relationships, and influence. The question is: What are you doing with what you’ve been given?

Legacy isn’t about what’s written in your will.

It’s not the land you pass down or the name on a plaque.

Legacy is what you build that will outlive you.

It’s what you pour into the next generation.
Investments —it’s not in stocks or portfolios—but in people.
It’s what you model through faith, through generosity, through sacrifice.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth… Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

— Matthew 6:19–20 (NLT)

In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul wrote:

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

Maybe you’re not the one preaching the Gospel from the stage.

But you might be the one who made it possible for someone else to get there.

Maybe you’re not the teacher—but you equipped the one who is.

Maybe you’ll never meet the person your gift helps reach—but one day in eternity, you just might.

That is what it means to build a bridge to eternity.

It’s about using what God has blessed you with—your time, your resources, your faith—and using it to bless others for God.

You don’t need a platform to make an eternal impact.

You just need a heart that says, “Lord, use what I have to build what will last.”

A bridge blueprint and open Bible rest on a wooden table, surrounded by tools and softly lit by a desk lamp, symbolizing legacy planning rooted in faith. — God has a plan—will you help build the bridge to eternity?

What’s the Value of One Soul?

What is the value of the person you passed in the supermarket today?

You know the one.

Pushing a cart. Lost in thought. Maybe tired, maybe burdened, maybe just trying to get through the day.

You don’t know their name. You may never see them again.

But God knows them.

God loves them.

God sent His Son to die for them.

That person—though unknown to you—is priceless in the eyes of God.

Now shift your focus. Think about Kim, the waitress at the donut shop you stop at every morning. You know her name. You ask how her day is. Maybe you even pray for her from time to time. You’ve built a connection. A small bridge to eternity. Her soul… means a little more to you now. She’s not just a stranger. She’s someone you see.

Next, think about a friend at church.

Someone who’s walked beside you, laughed with you, maybe cried with you.

Their soul? It’s even closer to your heart.

Then there’s your cousin.

You don’t see them often—maybe a few times a year at family gatherings.

You may not know everything about their life, but you know this: You want them to know Jesus.

Then your brother.

Your children.

Your grandchildren.

Now the weight of eternity feels very different.

It’s not an abstract theological idea. It’s deeply personal.

A person stands waist-deep in water at sunset with arms lifted toward Heaven as another person supports them in a baptism moment, under a radiant sky. — Is your legacy leading someone to this moment?

Let Me Tell You a Story

Last year, I stood and watched as my niece and two nephews were baptized.

They weren’t alone—my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were baptized that day, too.

That moment meant more to me than I can ever express.

Wendy and I had poured our lives into those kids.

We picked them up for church. The meals we shared. We laughed, played, prayed, and stayed close. I even took one of them to a Rattlesnake Round-up.

To watch them step into new life with Christ was overwhelming.

And I remember thinking:

What if I had gotten to Heaven… and they hadn’t followed me? What if I never saw them again? What if eternity meant being there without them?

I couldn’t bear the thought.

The truth is, the deeper your love for someone, the higher the value you place on their eternal soul.

And I would sacrifice everything I own—everything I am—to know that those I love most will one day walk across that bridge to eternity into the arms of Jesus.

So again, I ask…

What’s the value of one soul?

Is it worth your time?

Your energy?

How about your investment?

Your legacy?

When we begin to see people through eternal eyes, the answer becomes clear:

There is nothing more valuable.

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Here’s the question every one of us must face:

What if God gave you the opportunity to help build a bridge to eternity… and you walked away?

What if you had the chance to invest in something that would outlast your lifetime—something that would reach your grandchildren, your neighbors, maybe even someone you’ve never met—but because it wasn’t convenient… or comfortable… or clearly visible—you let it pass by?

Let’s be honest: God’s purposes will still be accomplished.

If He wants to reach someone, He will.

But you may miss the blessing of being a part of the miracle.

A split image showing a rusted vintage car in an overgrown field on the left, and a glowing treasure chest in Heaven filled with radiant jewels and light on the right. — One treasure fades. The other lasts forever. Where’s your investment?

A Story of a Missed Opportunity

Several years ago, a man named Carl sat in his church pew during a Sunday service when the pastor shared a vision for a new community initiative. The church wanted to renovate a small, unused section of the building to house a food bank ministry—something local families could rely on in times of need. It wasn’t just about handing out groceries; it was about building relationships, offering prayer, and letting people know they weren’t alone.

Carl had the means to help.

And deep down, something stirred. “You could be part of this.”

But he hesitated.

He thought, “It’s a great idea, but others will step up. I’m not sure it’s my place.”

And others did step up.

The project moved forward. The space was transformed. And over the next few years, the food bank became a lifeline to the community. Families were fed. People were prayed for. Some even came to know Jesus—not because they entered the sanctuary, but because the church met them where they were.

Carl rejoiced in what God had done. But deep down, he carried a quiet ache.

“I’m so thankful for that ministry,” he said one day. “I just wish I had helped build it. I had the chance… and I let it pass me by.”

God’s plan moved forward. The bridge to eternity was built.

But Carl missed the blessing of being one of the builders.

A Final Plea

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about invitation. It isn’t about money. It’s about mission.

God is offering you a chance to be part of His eternal story.

To give toward something that will echo in eternity.

To help build a bridge to eternity—not with concrete or steel—but with love, obedience, and sacrifice.

Don’t miss the chance.

You can’t assume someone else will do it.

Don’t walk away thinking your part is too small to matter.

Because your part may be the one that holds the whole bridge to eternity together.

Let this be your legacy:

“I used what God gave me to help someone find their way home.”

If this message stirred something in your heart, would you pray about how God might use you to build a bridge for someone else?

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