The Record, Thursday, February 13, 2003
By GREGORY RUMMO

AT THIS TIME of the year, we celebrate the memories of several famous Americans: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr. These men influenced American society profoundly during their lifetimes.

So great was the impact of their words and actions during their lives that their influence continues to this day. It is right to honor their legacies. But it is a mistake to think that legacies are reserved only for the famous, the influential, the rich, or politicians.

During the latter half of his second term in the White House, Bill Clinton was obsessed over his legacy. While there are widely differing opinions over what his legacy should reflect, the fact remains that he was correct to be concerned about it. This view is shared by New York Times best-selling author Paul J. Meyer in his new book "Unlocking Your Legacy" (Moody Press, 2002).

Although now a highly successful writer and a leading self-improvement author with more than $2 billion of his programs sold in more than 60 countries, Meyer, the son of first-generation German immigrants, started life in a tent. Born in San Mateo, Calif., in 1928 into a blue-collar family, he didn't come into the world with a silver spoon in his mouth. With few possessions, life was a struggle. Nevertheless, Meyer's parents used that as an opportunity to instill into their son an appreciation for life's blessings, a diligent work ethic, and a strong faith in God.

One of the earliest lessons he learned was that all men are created equal. This worldview went on to shape the way he viewed all of life's circumstances. "Whoever heard of being raised with no prejudice, no color lines, and no educational lines?" he writes. "Is that even possible? I would doubt it, except for the fact that I was the one raised this way. My parents taught me that everyone stood on level ground and from that one truth many other principles were driven into my formative heart and mind." Meyer's thesis is that there are only four things each of us will leave behind: Memories, the thoughts that others have of us, souvenirs; the proof of our existence, trophies; the records of our achievements; legacies.

"Eventually," he writes, "memories will fade and souvenirs and trophies will be lost, stolen or sold at garage sales. Only your legacy will remain." A legacy is defined as "something handed down from one generation to the next." But that "something," Meyer explains, includes our traits, habits, talents, and our social, physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional attitudes. "In essence, everything you are and possess today, whether good or bad, is your legacy." This fact is inescapable: All of us will leave a legacy behind. Our goal then must be to develop a good one.

Although this takes work, Meyer contends that anyone is capable, even the person who never had a good legacy left to him. "Whatever your history, tomorrow is your future [and] your future can be absolutely anything you want it to be." Likening a good legacy to a safety-deposit box filled with valuables, he writes: "It is only natural that the owner of a safety deposit box would tell the recipient what is in it, how everything works, and why it is so important."

The book explains in detail how a truly good legacy must be based on godly principles such as love, equality, gratitude, and a positive self-image. Meyer's foundation for building a strong legacy is the Word of God, and his book is salted liberally with Scripture verses.

The Bible has much to say about legacies. It is in fact a book of legacies, both bad and good. The stories of many people from different walks of life in all kinds of situations are recorded for us to read and learn from. There are some real surprises tucked away in the Scriptures.

We see Noah as the righteous and obedient shipbuilder saving his family and the animals of the Earth only to get drunk when the flood was over; the great King David -a man described as after the heart of God -leading Israel into one military victory after another only to fall into the sins of adultery and murder; and the harlot Rahab, described by the New Testament writer James as being "justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way" (James 2:25).

The Bible portrays events as they actually happened with God's running commentary alongside. There can be no doubt about the quality of the legacies left behind by these men and women.

Meyer concludes: "Like my father, someday my legacy will also be my history, so until that day comes I am doing everything within my power to leave behind a good legacy."

Solomon warned: "The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot" (Proverbs 10:7). That warning was meant for us all, not just the famous, the influential, the rich, or politicians. n

Gregory Rummo belongs to Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Paterson. He is the author of "The View From the Grass Roots," published by American Book Publishing. You may e-mail him at TheRecordReligion@northjersey.com

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