When studying the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, it can be somewhat monotonous reading a never-ending list of names. In fact, it’s easy to speed through these lists, scanning them at best as we anxiously push through the monotony to get to the “good stuff.”

But in a recent reading of 1 Chronicles, I made an interesting observation. In the middle of these lists, I would come across an occasional brief footnote on an individual giving a momentary glimpse into their lives. These footnotes teach us an important lesson in leadership.

Let me offer two case studies.

First, there’s Achan. After reading four verses about the descendants of Judah, we encounter 1 Chronicles 2:7: “The son of Carmi (a descendant of Zimri) was Achan” (NLT). Seems innocent enough, until you get to the footnote that follows: “Who brought disaster on Israel by taking plunder that had been set apart for the Lord.” Then the chapter continues with 48 additional verses listing dozens of more descendants.

The footnote about Achan in verse 7 stands apart. How would you like that to be the footnote of your life and leadership? Achan disobeyed God, and in the end, he was stoned to death and his body was set on fire.

When your life has passed, what will future generations — your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren — say about you?

Case study number two: Jabez. We read about other descendants of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4. Then we come to verses 9 and 10: “There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request” (NLT).

Despite having a name that’s equated with pain, Jabez refused to allow this label to define his life. Instead, he prayed and asked of God four things: God’s blessing, influence, presence, and protection. And when this short footnote concludes, we read, “And God granted him his request.” Then, the next 27 verses continue with another long list of names.

What an incredible contrast. The footnote of Achan’s life was marked by disobedience and destruction, while the footnote of Jabez’s life was marked by God’s extraordinary favor. Two men, two footnotes — vastly different outcomes.

Here’s the question for us today: What will be the footnote of your life and leadership? When your life has passed, what will future generations — your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren — say about you? Will your footnote be marred by disobedience, or will it be marked by a life that finished well.

We ultimately get to choose. Though we can’t control every twist and turn in our lives, we can control our behavior, our choices, and our attitude. We can control whether we obey God and walk humbly before Him or serve ourselves and dishonor His name.

Finishing well doesn’t happen by accident. You must choose the footnote of your life and leadership by focusing on three important areas, each accompanied by an essential question.

Character: Who Will I Be?

Character is all about integrity and spirituality. It’s the character you choose to cultivate by cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit inside of you. It’s your commitment to know God and be shaped by Him. The truth is people won’t care much about what you’ve accomplished if your life is void of character.

Contribution: What Difference Will I Make?

Contribution is the difference you make through your God-given gifts, abilities, skills, influence, and resources. God wired you on purpose and for a purpose. When you operate out of this wiring for a purpose bigger than yourself, you’ll make the greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God and society at large. How you steward these resources is what matters.

Connection: In Whom Will I Invest?

Connection is about investing your life into the people around you so they can become all God has called them to become. This includes your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and the people you’ve coached, mentored, and discipled. These connections are not simply random relationships. Instead, they are divinely appointed opportunities to help, serve, and add value to others. As author Mark Batterson once said, “Legacy is not what you accomplish. Legacy is what others accomplish because of you.”

The footnote of your life will be shaped by your answers to these three questions: Who will I be? What difference will I make? In whom will I invest? When you choose to live a life of character, make your greatest contribution with God-given resources, and connect with others to help them thrive, you can be assured the footnote of your life and leadership will be one worth reading.