GENE RONCONE

A SEASON FOR LEGACYIt is vital that we not allow our limitations to determine the parameters of ourcommitment. David’s grand vision sufered the frontal asault of self-awareness.David was painfully aware of his limitations. In the shadow of this grand vision, Godmade him aware of the great “not”: You cannot because you are not.That is one of the tremendous trials of greatness. What will we do in the shadowof “are not”? Wil we chose to live in the microscopic land of “little” or march on tothe continent of “the colosaly grand”? When we live among a pygmy tribe, we alwaysfeel like a giant. It is not until we dream of doing something bigger than ourselves thatwe become painfully aware of our limitations. It is not until we dream big, think big,and act big that we feel smal in the shadow of “are not.”David’s vision encompased a ful awarenes of his personal limitations, but henever allowed his disadvantages to deter him. Why? Because he sought, served, andsacrificed for a vision greater than himself or his abilities. He did not allow his limitationsto downgrade his vision in proportion to his abilities, paralyze his sense of responsibility,discourage his commitment to involvement, or suspend and postpone hissense of urgency.We can folow David’s example in this.As our church stands in the shadow ofthis great vision, each one of us will need to decide if we are going to allow our personal,financial, and emotional limitations to hold us back. Living beyond our limitationsis a powerful legacy to leave the next generation.In the moment of decision, we will hear the downward call of limitation. We willfeel its gravitational pull upon our spirit. We will see its shadow pleading with us todream smaller, think smaller, and act smaller. However, when we think big, we becomepainfully aware of our limited resources and our cramped time and waning willingness.It is not until we try to do something great that we come face-to-face with fleeingpatience, impoverished determination, bankrupt courage, and exhausted flexibility.Like David, we must rise above our limitations and lose ourselves in a vision undeterredby the inviting call of the pygmy tribe.In the 1995 movie, “Brave Heart,” Wiliam Walace is faced with his army’s desireto retreat from battle. The sight of the enemy on the battlefield made them fearful andapprehensive of sacrifice. Wallace gallantly rides his horse across the front line andshouts:I am William Wallace, and before me, I see a whole ARMY of my countrymen hereto batle the English. Yes, fight and you may die; run and you’l live. At least a while.And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the daysfrom this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell ourenemies that they may take our lives…but they’l never take our FREEDOM!27