A Legacy without an *

Keith Starcher
DayStar Consulting

The presence or absence of asterisks –what a divisive topic in the world of sports today.  Think about it.  In baseball, should that home run record be followed by an *?  If a certain NFL team goes undefeated this year, should their season stats include an asterisk?  The world of biking, track & field and, yes, even business seems to be plagued by those who just don’t want to play by the rules. 

Yet as some bend or break the rules to enhance their performance, their legacy potentially ends up being tainted with an asterisk (or worse).  In the end, what do you have to leave behind, but your legacy?  How will you and I be remembered by subordinates, superiors, colleagues and family members?  And what should we be doing today that will result in a legacy untainted by an asterisk?

I’ve been thinking a lot about my father’s legacy.  (Dad passed away just over a month ago.)   Yes, my dad built some great things in his life; he was always good with his hands.  But when I think of his legacy, all I can think about is the quality of the relationships he enjoyed.  I don’t think about his material possessions or his skills or any of that.  I think about his relationship with me and with others.

First, my father developed a quiet strength through his intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  He was not a Bible teacher, but he loved the Scriptures.  I’m not sure how many Bibles he “wore out” in his lifetime.  But I now remember that on every occasion when I visited dad, I would find his Bible right next to his favorite chair.  He spent time in the Word and through that time alone he developed a close relationship with his Savior.

He also developed many wonderful relationships within our family and among neighbors and friends.  He was known for his smile and his willingness to help.  Dad was certainly blessed with many loving and caring relationships.  And I can see how his life positively impacted the lives of others.  He finished well—not an asterisk to be seen.

And so as you enter into another week of work, would you consider the many relationships with which you have been entrusted?  And then realize that your legacy will ultimately be shaped by the quality and sincerity of those relationships. 

Robert Galford, in his book Your Leadership Legacy, challenges each of us to consider that our legacy “…will be revealed in how our colleagues, employees, and others think and behave as a result of the time they spent working with you.”

How will those at home and at work with whom you interact with on a daily basis be blessed and think and act differently because of the legacy that you are building this week?  How many of them will finish well (no asterisks in sight) because of your influence on their lives?

Those are frightening questions.  And I personally want to shrink back from that kind of responsibility.  But then I remember, “It’s not about me.”  It’s about Him.  He wants to use me to be a blessing to others and to bring glory to Him both at home, at church, and in the marketplace.  One Person to please; one day at a time.

Your legacy and mine are being built day by day, week by week…

Let’s make sure that we’re building that legacy on the right foundation.

Enjoy being a blessing to someone this week.

Keith

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