True legacy
July 9, 2009
The past weekend brought forth two drastically different experiences with two men who passed away. I did not know either of the individuals who passed away and yet as I listened to people talk about each of the figures I heard two distinctly different sentiments regarding legacy.
One of the figures that passed away was the “pop icon” Michael Jackson. He was a man whose life was riddled by confusion and controversy and cut short at age 50 due to heart complications. The result of his passing was 24/7 news coverage, a funeral at the Staples Center and a host a famous celebrities paying tribute and talking about his enduring legacy. Now, as an ardent supporter and appreciator of the arts I want to point out my great respect for Jackson’s talent and contribution to the field of music, but what troubled me about the discourse I heard concerning Jackson was that is was all positive and little recourse was given to the fact that this was a very fallen man. Jackson settled a 22 million dollar lawsuit out of court with reference to an inappropriate relationship with a minor, Jackson spent an undisclosed figured reshaping his facial features through plastic surgery and bleaching his skin until his pigmentation was totally transformed from black to white, and he secluded himself in his 2, 800 acre Neverland Ranch filled with all sorts of wild oddities. And the talk surrounding this man was regarding legacy.
The other figure who passed away was Steve Tracy’s father, Tom Tracy. The press coverage concerning Tom was restricted to an obituary in the Arizona republic and a humble memorial at a local Tempe church. Tom lived a very simple and faithful life. He cared for his family and friends and was a devote follower of Jesus Christ. Now Tom like Jackson was a fallen man and yet what he did in spite of his falleness was quite different. Tom put his time into loving his wife for more than 50 years, raising his boys, faithfully investing in his grandchildren, and serving the local church. Tom’s legacy continues through the radical endeavors of his children and grandchildren and the lives of those they touch as they seek the transformation of the world through the message of the gospel.
While Michael will certainly enjoy and has enjoyed his fame in the here and now, the echoes of Tom’s life will crescendo throughout eternity as a man who, though flawed, attempted to live faithfully in this crooked and perverse world.
Do you consider your legacy as you carry out your daily affairs? Are you paving a way for future generations to emulate? Are you intentional with how and with whom you spend your time? True legacy is Christ-centered because only a legacy associated with the gospel of Jesus Christ will have lasting value.
Thankful for Jesus,
Pastor Gabe