In 1866 my great, great, great grandfather Franz came to America on a boat from Germany. I don’t know much about his family in Germany yet…but I’m certain that I want to learn. I think that it is awesome to know about your family history. 5 generations later, I don’t know what kind of man Franz Reinig was. Here is what I do know.
Franz & family settled on CR 40, in a place they called Barker. Modern day…we call it Waterloo, Indiana. It’s crazy to think that over generations our family wasn’t taken further from where we were planted in America. What I know about his direct discendants tells me that we haven’t drifted too far spiritually either. It is scary to think about how far you CAN drift from your roots in just a couple of generations! Yet when you look at some families…it’s amazing to see their devotion to their roots.
Abraham was David’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandpa. 14 generations from “Father Abraham” to “King David”. Although throughout thier descendants they strayed, how crazy to think that what Abraham did with his life and family would affect David in some way….14 generations later.
If you knew 14 generations back in your family heritage…would you thank them for the direction that your family has taken over the years? Each generation has the choice of how they will handle “taking the wheel” of direction of the family. In 14 generations, will they thank you for bringing the family closer to God? I firmly believe that memories of me will be forgotten, but the God-loving legacy I will leave will only take my family closer to Christ.
There were 14 generations between Abraham and David. There were 14 generations between David and Babylonian exile. There were (you guessed it!) 14 generations between Babylon and JESUS. 42 generations between Abraham and Jesus.
I would love to think that 42 generations from now, people will remember me. Most likely they will not. So what’s the purpose of building my own kingdom of possessions and money?
BOTTOM LINE…they WILL remember God in 42 generations. I will do everything in my power to ensure that. Will you?
