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I was recently listening to scripture (thank you, Biblegateway app) and was in the book of Acts, chapter 20. This  passage is regarding Paul's missionary journeys. These verses caught my attention:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.  I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.  You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20: 22-34

Regardless of our roles -- spouse, parent, child, business leader, we need to take intentional steps every day to improve the lives of those we are leading and stay true to our mission. Sometimes that is with praise. Other times we may need to speak the truth in love. Often times, just don't speak at all. (That advice is courtesy of my wife and daughter ...). Invest -- in your family, in your business, in your community.

So, what happens after we're gone? Will the family, team, business, organization continue on with the mission? What are the "wolves" that threaten to tear away your life's work? What safeguards can we put in place today to help make sure we don't tear down the work with our own actions?