Legacy without context is like a biography that does not fit in to history. One may either reject the past, or think of himself as part of the continuum of the grand story he finds himself in. One may either bring down the giants or stand among their shoulders. Someone once said that art has been “reduced to advertising with no product but the artists themselves”. That is why the first thing one must consider in order to create something of value that would outlast himself is to look outside himself.
When we behold the vastness, beauty, and complexity of the universe, not to mention, the areas that have yet to be discovered (i.e. dark matter and dark energy), we can be reminded of how small we are. This feeling of smallness is not often associated with good self-esteem, and yet we can feel good about feeling small, when we see how God has created us in His image, and how we are worth what He was willing to pay for our salvation, which far outweighs anything we can make ourselves out to be. When we consider how small, and yet valuable we are, we realize that it is a privilege to be part of God’s work.
Not all lights are created equal. One may either choose to shine a light on his own greatness or his own moral high ground, making himself a blinding light, muting out other lights around him. Or as the moon emits no light of its own, but reflects the light of the sun, we too may become a reflection of God’s light. And it begins by looking at the beauty outside ourselves, giving glory to the Timeless Creator, though transient stars might try to steal our attention. To reflect God's light is the highest thing we can aspire to.
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