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Legacies, Part 1

It was evening in San Diego, California. The harbor lights were beautiful as I drove along the shore, winding my way over to the airport terminal. I was picking up a friend who had flown in to see his brother, who was terminally ill.

I couldn't help but smile when I finally saw Dick by the curb. We have only gotten together a few times in the past two decades (understandable when we live on separate continents!), but our friendship goes back over 35 years. My parents served with him as missionaries in South America, I went to school with his kids and he knew me when I was 10 years old. Always interested in people, Dick's friendship nourishes those he is near.

We loaded his luggage and threaded our way through the traffic, heading for the open highway. As I drove, we talked, each catching the other up on life since our last visit.

I mentioned that I was writing a book about lifestyle worship. Immediately interested, he quizzed me further. After a few minutes, he sat back in the seat, looked out into the night and then back at me.

"It doesn't surprise me at all that you are doing this book," he surprised me. "Your folks lived just what you are writing about. They poured out their lives to others, using their gifts in worship."

Legacies. The first thought in my mind when he said that was, "Wow! I didn't think of this as part of their legacy to me. How like God to lead Dick to show me this connection, this continuity." I was deeply moved and encouraged to see my work as an extension of their influence.

Question: What lasting legacy will you leave?

As we begin life, every stage opens up new horizons, much like climbing a mountain slope. We go from the crib to the crawl. Then we stand, then walk, then run-and that opens up great new vistas: we can terrorize our parents until preschool puts us into the classroom!

Soon after preschool, we're in high school, and then comes college or career. We start out as an employee, move up to supervisor, leap into management and perhaps even climb the leadership ladder. Then...

...Horizons begin to shrink. No matter what the title, we know-and everyone else knows-that we have peaked, and are on our way downhill. To the sidelines.

The time comes when we can no longer run. Then walking becomes a challenge. Then standing falls aside. We find ourselves being tucked into a bed with rails. It looks a lot like a crib.

Life on earth is so brief, compared to eternity. How can we extend our influence? How can we leave a lasting legacy of worship?

Let's begin by observing legacies left by people whom God has placed into unique positions. Then we'll look at legacies anyone can leave, whether or not they are well known.

There are a number of possibilities for leveraging our lifestyle worship into long-term influence. Some possibilities depend on the work God giving us a prominent public role. For example, Billy Graham and Charles Swindoll have influenced millions of people through widely disseminated preaching. A.W. Tozer and Charles Colson have leveraged their influence through writing. Bill Pearce and James Dobson have used radio media. Michael W. Smith and Jars Of Clay have used music media.

Leadership is another way to leverage impact. Think of the worldwide effect of such leaders as Dawson Trotman through The Navigators, Paul Fleming through New Tribes Mission, Bill Bright through Campus Crusade for Christ and John Mitchell through Multnomah School of the Bible. Their use of their gifts in God's work was very much in keeping with the Romans 12 concept of lifestyle worship.

Teaching is another avenue of impact extension, and I'm sure many listening friends are engaged in the privilege and responsibility of teaching. Several years ago I was strolling through a music exhibit hall. I happened to be in town at the same time as a national church music convention was being held, so I stopped by to see a few friends.

As I checked out the various displays in the huge auditorium, I suddenly heard my name. "Mr. Garmo. Mr. Garmo! Over here!"

I turned around, lined up with the sound, and there across the aisle stood a young man who-I realized with a happy shock-had been my student a decade ago. What a thrill!

I had not known where Dave had gone after graduating from college, so seeing him now was a welcome and joyful surprise. Surprise became respect when I learned that he was now the director of marketing for one of the country's largest church music publishers. Since our conversation that day, he became a vice president of the company.

After we talked for a few minutes, he said, "I want you to know something. You, perhaps more than any other person, are the reason I am here today. Your encouragement, your confidence that I had something to offer, kept me going."

As you can imagine, his comments not only made my day; they made my year. What a privilege it is to teach, and in doing so, to help young men and women become who God designed them to be.

One problem, obviously, is that these opportunities are limited. Even teaching is not for everyone. God doesn't want all of us to preach or write or do radio or music. (Spare us, Lord, from that! J) He doesn't give everyone the ability or the opportunity to lead ministries or teach school. He does, however, give some opportunities to everyone.

When we continue next time, we'll look at opportunities God gives everyone to leave a lasting legacy.