August 24

Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet. — 2 Kgs 13:21 BSB

Elisha’s bones had no more power to give life than the bones of any other dead man. Yet from this story, we can learn a lesson about posthumous influence. No person truly dies completely; their legacy lives on. Though we reject superstitions about relics, saints' bones, or pieces of holy men’s clothing, it is true that a godly person’s influence can continue after their death. They leave behind something that endures. Their name holds power, and if they have written good books, these live on to give life to future generations.

We should strive to live in such a way that we are not only missed and mourned when we die but that our influence continues to live on through our works, our name, and the impact we had on others.