LISTEN ONLINEIn Sweden, there’s a concept known as döstädning. It literally means “death cleaning”. The idea is that as we grow older, we should stop accumulating “stuff” and begin to cut out the clutter we have amassed throughout our lives. “Swedish death cleaning” is actually a gift of love to children and friends, for it simplifies for them the task of wading through what we leave behind.
As believers in Jesus, at a certain age we think about our legacy—what survives us. This is often framed in terms of money, inheritance or charitable giving—and there’s much to be said for that. But it might be helpful to look at Jesus in His final hours with His disciples: “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36). In two verses (vv. 34-35), He uses the word love or loved four times—His legacy was love. He told them: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34).
It can be good to do some “Swedish death cleaning” at any stage of our lives, removing clutter to stay focused on only the most important things. But it really isn’t about things or money. The most important legacy you can share today is your love for Jesus. When children and friends remember you as one who loved Jesus, that’s the best gift of all.