Legend or Legacy
This past week end, Alan and I were in Illinois at a fun summer celebration in the town where he was born and raised. There were 300,000 people, lots of food of all types, entertainment that would meet just about everyone’s taste, and GREAT weather. We had a ball. But there were two things that really me, impressed me… you know…that became some of those things that make you go hmmmm.
(Doesn’t that surprise you that you never know where “He’s” going to show up?)
As I mentioned there was lots of entertainment, bands, singers, groups, some known, and some only known to their families and friends. But variety was definitely the spice of life to say the least. There were two performers that stood out- two we had never heard of before. BUT we had heard of who they were impersonating. Between the two of them, we heard several concerts by Elvis and Johnny Cash. Both were very good. BUT the Johnny Cash impersonator was amazing! He looked like him, acted like him, had mannerisms like him, spoke like him, and most importantly sang JUST like him! It was almost a little eerie, because he really had everything down to a science. And he spoke in first person so it really WAS like Johnny Cash was standing there. Alan absolutely loved him.
As I listened to him for about the 6th time, it suddenly dawned on me that this person had made a life decision to make a career out of impersonating someone who had at one time been bigger than life as an entertainer, recording artist, a man and eventually, a legend. He must have watched and listened to Johnny Cash more than anyone on the planet, because everything he did in his performance was so perfect. Obviously the man doing the impersonating had been a fan, and loved Johnny Cash enough that he wanted to keep his legacy alive. Sure Johnny Cash was a legend…but it’s what lives on after you that makes a legacy. And then I began to ask myself the question, “is there anything in my life that would cause someone to want to impersonate me after I’m gone?” Is my a life a candidate for leaving a legacy?
My grandmother had a little wall plaque in her bedroom that read,
“Only one life
t’will soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ
will last.”
When we know Jesus, share Jesus, live Jesus, talk like Jesus, and try in every way to be like Jesus, we have the chance to not only extend his life and legacy to the world, but we also get the opportunity to leave something of ourselves that can live on and on. I pray that as we invest ourselves in praying for one another that we will realize we are touching eternity, touching heaven and helping to establish the perfect plan and purpose of the Father in lives and situations. And that IS a legacy. No, we probably won’t be impersonated on a stage, but what we’ve done for Jesus will never change or fade away. The things that are done for Him will be recognized and rewarded in a far better way than applause from an audience at a town celebration.
So don’t quit, don’t slow down, don’t get discouraged or weary…Jesus is watching and is proud of your commitment and the affirming statement you make each time a prayer request comes into your email box. “Yes I Will Pray!” And we’re proud too! You’re leaving a legacy for sure. Together we touch heaven and make a difference!
Sharalee
As I mentioned there was lots of entertainment, bands, singers, groups, some known, and some only known to their families and friends. But variety was definitely the spice of life to say the least. There were two performers that stood out- two we had never heard of before. BUT we had heard of who they were impersonating. Between the two of them, we heard several concerts by Elvis and Johnny Cash. Both were very good. BUT the Johnny Cash impersonator was amazing! He looked like him, acted like him, had mannerisms like him, spoke like him, and most importantly sang JUST like him! It was almost a little eerie, because he really had everything down to a science. And he spoke in first person so it really WAS like Johnny Cash was standing there. Alan absolutely loved him.
As I listened to him for about the 6th time, it suddenly dawned on me that this person had made a life decision to make a career out of impersonating someone who had at one time been bigger than life as an entertainer, recording artist, a man and eventually, a legend. He must have watched and listened to Johnny Cash more than anyone on the planet, because everything he did in his performance was so perfect. Obviously the man doing the impersonating had been a fan, and loved Johnny Cash enough that he wanted to keep his legacy alive. Sure Johnny Cash was a legend…but it’s what lives on after you that makes a legacy. And then I began to ask myself the question, “is there anything in my life that would cause someone to want to impersonate me after I’m gone?” Is my a life a candidate for leaving a legacy?
My grandmother had a little wall plaque in her bedroom that read,
“Only one life
t’will soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ
will last.”
When we know Jesus, share Jesus, live Jesus, talk like Jesus, and try in every way to be like Jesus, we have the chance to not only extend his life and legacy to the world, but we also get the opportunity to leave something of ourselves that can live on and on. I pray that as we invest ourselves in praying for one another that we will realize we are touching eternity, touching heaven and helping to establish the perfect plan and purpose of the Father in lives and situations. And that IS a legacy. No, we probably won’t be impersonated on a stage, but what we’ve done for Jesus will never change or fade away. The things that are done for Him will be recognized and rewarded in a far better way than applause from an audience at a town celebration.
So don’t quit, don’t slow down, don’t get discouraged or weary…Jesus is watching and is proud of your commitment and the affirming statement you make each time a prayer request comes into your email box. “Yes I Will Pray!” And we’re proud too! You’re leaving a legacy for sure. Together we touch heaven and make a difference!