Alfred Nobel’s story is one of those rare moments in history where someone gets a glimpse into their own legacy and decides to rewrite it. Imagine waking up one morning, grabbing your newspaper, and reading about your own death. That’s exactly what happened to Alfred Nobel. The headline called him the “merchant of death,” a man who had made a fortune by inventing dynamite and thus enabling more efficient ways to kill in warfare. The obituary painted a grim picture of Nobel’s life, and though it was mistakenly written (it was actually his brother who had passed away), it served as a shocking wake-up call for Alfred.

The reality check was life-altering, to say the least. Nobel realized that his life, as it was being written by others, was a story of destruction, not creation. His invention, which he had hoped would make construction easier, was being used for the exact opposite purpose. This realization deeply distressed him, pushing him to change the narrative of his life entirely. He decided to dedicate the remainder of his life to fostering peace rather than destruction. This decision led to the establishment of the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the world today.

Nobel’s story teaches us that we all have the power to change our legacy. This is a powerful reminder that our actions speak louder than our intentions. We can have all the good intentions in the world, but if they don’t translate into action, they remain just that—intentions. Nobel’s intention wasn’t to become known as the “merchant of death,” but his invention was used in ways that led to that perception. It wasn’t until he took deliberate steps to change the outcome that his legacy shifted from one of destruction to one of peace.

In a similar way, our lives are like that of Alfred Nobel before he read his obituary. We go about our daily routines, often unaware of the full impact of our actions or how others perceive us. But there’s always time to change, always time to rewrite our story.

So, what is your legacy? What will others say about you when you’re gone? Nobel had the rare chance to read his own obituary and change his legacy. While we might not get such a direct opportunity, we can still take control of our story today. We can choose to live in a way that aligns our autobiography with our biography.

Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 5:14-16, where He said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus didn’t say people should assume you have good deeds or that you have good intentions in your heart. He said people need to see your good deeds. Your life should be a visible testimony of God’s love and power.

Like Nobel, we have the chance to step back and ask, “What is my legacy?” It’s not about being perfect or having it all together—none of us do. It’s about living in such a way that our faith, our love, and our good deeds are visible to others, leading them to glorify God.

So, today, take a moment to reflect on the legacy you’re leaving behind. Is it aligned with the person you want to be, with the person God has called you to be? If not, it’s never too late to change. Let your light shine, and let others see the goodness of God through your life. Your legacy is in the making—write it well.