Leaving a Legacy of Service
/“The family legacy is not combat. It’s service.”
One of my favorite shows is back on CBS and that is Blue Bloods. One of my favorite quotes from that show is when the character Danny Reagan shares with his wife Linda some insight on the family of cops that she is in. “The family legacy isn’t combat its service.” It garners the question what is your legacy? What is a good legacy? How can you leave a good legacy? How can you change a legacy?
Let me share a little personal story. I gave my thirties to missions and ministry. I began to think “what did we actually accomplish? Did we make a difference?” I began to regret taking the leap of leaving home and investing six years in Beijing. I didn’t preach at a massive crusade. I didn’t start a school or hospital. I questioned what had we done and why had we gone? Was any difference made?
The night before we left China. Our church gave us a going away party. Many of our members and friends were there. We had a great time sharing Korean BBQ with them. As a pastor I had hoped that my sermons, my messages would have inspired and changed someones life. As the night came to a close many people said a few words about our time in Beijing. There was one unifying theme that lifted my spirits up at that last supper.
People may or may not have remembered any of my sermons but they remembered that we were there for them. During the three long years of Covid, the lockdowns, and the isolation; we were there for them. We routinely checked in on people, invited them to our home or out to lunch or coffee. We walked with them around the block when there was no where else to go and their families were far far away. We encouraged them and prayed for them and befriend them.
How do you make a difference? Volumes of books have been written about great men and women who lead, invented, displayed bravery and they deserve their honors. Let me offer a few considerations for your thoughts on how the average person can make a difference.
What of the praying grandparents who intercede for their grandchildren?
What of the teachers and coaches who took extra attention and time for the troubled teen?
What of the nurse who took the time to explain a situation to the difficult patient.
What of the police officer who went beyond the call of duty?
It’s the extra mile that will make the difference in your leadership. The extra mile will set you apart. The extra mile will define your legacy.
You may not be remembered for being a great speaker but a great speaker can be remembered for their service, their care, going the extra mile.
Jesus said the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven will be the servant of all. That sentence is proven day after day to be true. Will it be true for you? Will you take the time to care, to go the extra mile, to be a servant? If so you may just find out that you will be the leader of all.
Check out this short film I made on Legacy.