Here’s a story that sounds like it could have come from the files of “Ripley’s: Believe It or Not!”  Last week, Police in Snellville, Georgia announced that they were investigating the death of a man who collapsed after he was head-butted by an armless artist in a fight over a woman!

Police say that William Redfern, who was born with no right arm and only a short stump for his left arm, got into a fight with Charles Teer over a longstanding feud that started when a woman who had once dated Teer started dating Redfern.

Bystanders pulled the two apart once, but Redfern allegedly came back one more time and head-butted Teer.  Afterward, Teer complained of feeling dizzy, then collapsed and died!  Police are awaiting autopsy results before deciding if Redfern should be charged.

Known by the nickname “Rusty,” Redfern made a name for himself in the late 1980’s for the amazing pen and ink drawings he does using his foot.  These drawings take one to six months to complete!

Redfern was one of just six Georgians selected to represent the state back in 1989, at an International Arts Festival held in Washington, D.C.  He was also commissioned by Georgia’s Secretary of State to create a series of illustrations depicting the state capital.

It is too early to tell what this latest saga in Redfern’s life will do to his reputation and influence as an artist who has overcome a severe disability.

Stepping aside from armless, artist, head-butting stories for a second - there is a question here that we would all benefit from - when it comes to our own reputation, are we trying harder to create a LEGEND or a LEGACY?

Creating a LEGEND means that you are primarily interested in making a name for yourself.  Few people would openly admit that as a goal.  But, if you find yourself feeling empowered every time there is a crowd around you, or feeling rewarded when the applause comes and others publicly recognize your talents and abilities; then you might be working on becoming more of a LEGEND than you think.

A LEGEND is created by something you become really well known for, but a LEGACY is created by someone who really knows you well.

Creating a LEGACY means that you are primarily interested in passing on whatever talents and abilities you have to the next generation, instead of the next crowd.  You draw more reward from seeing the person you helped excel, instead of just receiving accolades for yourself.

Don’t get me wrong.  No one gets picked for a team and then wants to sit on the bench.  No one wants to take a place of insignificance.  We all want to make a difference, and leave the world a little changed.  But how do we work on creating a LEGACY more than a LEGEND?

First, we need to consider that what people need from us most is not more information.  People just need words and actions from us that will feed their souls.

Being significant is not the same as looking significant.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).  Think about that for a moment.  When was the last time you went to someone’s house for a meal and said, “Wow, this is really great salt!  Honey, how come we don’t have salt like this at our house?”

Salt’s “calling” is to lose itself in something much bigger and more glorious looking than itself.  When salt does its job that way, it fulfills its destiny and makes a significant difference in the lives of those who come after it!

Sometimes the significance of what a person does for others doesn’t get noticed until the contribution ceases.  If you want to create a LEGACY, you need to see that your mission starts right where you are, not where you think you should be!

When God gave Moses his opportunity to become a LEGEND or start creating a LEGACY, one of the questions He asked Moses was, “What have you got in your hand?”  Moses held a shepherd’s staff (Exodus 4:2).  His staff represented his livelihood at the time.  It represented what he knew how to do - what he was currently good at! 

Too many times, people think that to be significant, they have to be something else, or have something else.  Not true.  God wants to use you with what you are currently doing, with your current resources and abilities. 

Sure, as God shapes you things might change.  But to create a LEGACY, you need to start serving where you are.  People who are more interested in creating a LEGEND will start by trying to become something they aren’t.

God still asks, “What’s in your hand?”  It’s a good question.  What has God already given you that you can start using now to speak life into someone’s life?

Another way that you can start creating a legacy is to ask yourself, “What troubles me most about the world around me?”

For Moses, it was the oppression of his people.  It really bothered him when he saw a fellow Hebrew beaten by an Egyptian.

For Johnny, a grocery store bagger with Down syndrome, it was something else. 

Johnny, along with about 3000 other employees of a supermarket chain, attended a training event where all were encouraged to see how every interaction with a customer was a chance to create a lasting memory.  The speaker encouraged everyone to look for those moments and then bless someone.

Johnny left that training event wondering how could he do something that meaningful for people - “After all, I’m just a bagger!”

Then, he had an idea.  He decided that every night he would find a “thought for the day.”  He typed it out - six times on a page - and printed 50 pages.  He would take his scissors and cut each one of t hose 300 copies and sign every one.

The next day, Johnny put the stack of slips of paper next to him while he bagged groceries.  Each time he finished bagging; he would put his saying on top of the last bag.  As he handed that bag to the customer how he would say, “I’ve put a great saying in your bag.  I hope it helps you have a good day.  Thanks for coming here.”

Within a month, everyone noticed the changes in that store!  First, the manager noticed that the line at the checkout where Johnny worked was always three times longer than the others!  Other checkouts would be opened, but people politely refused to move! They said, “That’s okay.  We’ll wait.  We want to be in Johnny’s line.”

The store manager began to get letters.  Not complaints - he usually got plenty of those.  These letters were thanking the store and thanking Johnny.

You could say that Johnny was just doing his job.  Or you could see that Johnny was doing more than just filling grocery bags.  Johnny was filling people with hope.

If you want to create more of a legacy than a legend, consider what you are filling people’s lives with - are they filled with big words about you, or are they filled with hope for them?

Being significant is not the same as looking significant.  Can I encourage you today to ask God to help you see “what’s in your hand” that can be used to feed someone’s soul today?
    

On a personal note, we would like to let you know that we have accepted the position of Lead Pastor at Madison First Assembly in Madison, Indiana.  As God makes a way for us in this new position we are also thankful for all of the ministry opportunities that we have been given at Victory Church.  Our heartfelt thanks go out to Pastor Blackburn, all of the leadership of Victory Church, and to all those who call Victory their church home.  
 
This midweek devotional will continue to be sent to anyone on our distribution list, as long as you would like to continue to receive it.  Just email us with a request to “unsubscribe” if and when you would no longer like to receive it. It will also appear on both church websites:  www.victorylakeland.org and www.madisonfirstassembly.com.  Thank you for your support, feedback, and prayers, for us, and for both churches, during this exciting transition!