Legacy

Posted on Nov 14, 2008 in Missions, Worship

Last Tuesday I was out with my family hitting the big second hand shops downtown looking for props for this year’s Christmas show. Of course, being a music lover, I always have to stop and take a quick look through the random collection of CD’s, tapes, and LP’s. I found a shoe box full of Christian rock and “metal” tapes, some of which I actually had when I was a kid: Petra, The Altar Boys, Rez Band, and my personal favorite, One Bad Pig! That has to rank up there with the worst band names ever.

Later in the afternoon I spotted it… right next to Blues Traveler and a Spanish language CD. There it was, a copy of my first CD project “You Rescue Me” in a broken and cracked jewel case marked $1.98 in orange grease pencil. At first I felt kind of gratified. My CD in Emerald Thrift right next to Blues Traveler! Then I felt a twinge of disappointment because someone had discarded my CD. Is it not worth anything to the former owner anymore? Was it tossed out with the other random junk they had piled up in garbage bags in their garage? Maybe it sat in someone’s car for two years. Maybe they enjoyed it for a while and then put it aside like I have done with most of the CD’s in my collection.

All this got me thinking about legacy. What is it that I will leave behind? What will I do that will reach someone? Touch someone? How will I let God get a hold of my feeble abilities despite my fears and brokenness and let him be glorified somehow through it? What will my hands do today that will give worship to my maker? What will my mouth speak? Where will my feet take me? Will my life count for something today?

As I checked out of the store and paid my $25 for 7 assorted Christmas wreaths, a twin sized headboard, a Todd Anderson CD, and a Blues Traveler CD, my niece Cassidy said, “Do you think that the lady at the register will recognize you from the CD cover?” Maybe I secretly wanted her to. She didn’t. And that’s OK. I don’t need fame or recognition. I walked out onto the sidewalk on Van Ness Avenue knowing that some songs that I wrote and recorded in 2001 reached someone, somewhere. Maybe they enjoyed the music, or maybe not. Maybe it brought them peace or inspired them or maybe they were annoyed by it. I don’t know.

I am glad that I am God’s and he gave us all something to glorify him with every day. What will we leave behind? What will we give? Will our lives amount to something more eternal than something discarded at a thrift store?

“We have this life we’ve been given. We have this life, so we can give it all away.”

8 Comments

  1. chase
    11/17/2008

    hey todd, were there any more there? ive only got the burnt copy and i want the orig… oh ya i almost forgot, this is the same cd, track 3, you owe me a duet for my b day gift.. remember?? lol

    Reply
  2. Judy
    11/19/2008

    Todd, you are an inspiration to me and your humility for such a young man is amazing. You are touching many people by your music, and your outreach. Judy

    Reply
  3. Todd Anderson
    11/20/2008

    Yeah, I might have one laying around… They are rather hard to come by these days. You might check your local thrift store.

    Reply
  4. Teresa
    11/20/2008

    Todd … thanks for sharing those thoughts. Makes me consider my own legacy and what I’m leaving behind. Oh, I would’ve gladly paid $3 for that CD! Seriously, we at NP wouldn’t enjoy an incredible worship service if you were gone — hitting the road, selling millions of CDs, doing concerts and signing autographs. I know that’s selfish of me… but still …

    Reply
  5. Angie
    01/04/2009

    So many people talk about their carbon footprint…is that what’s really important for us to consider? When we look around at the big world, our existence seems to insignificant, but to someone, we can make a difference. It’s like to guy walking along the beach throwing starfish washed up on the shore back into the ocean. He may not be able to save them all, but he can make a difference to the ones he can touch. Our legacy can be simply being the person who made sure the coffee pots were full at the weekend service or helped plant flowers along the walkway or the one who stands before the body of Christ in humility and honesty to lead His people to a place of worship. I have your CD and enjoy the acoustic sounds that honestly share your love for the LORD & would love to hear some of those shared in worship on the weekend.

    Reply
  6. Nancy Edwards
    01/15/2009

    Hey Todd, I love that CD I listen to it all the time.I am glad I got one when I did at Northpointe.When I am haveing a stressful day I pop your CD in and feel so much better and start singing along.Thank you .You have a special gift the Lord gave you and you share it with all of us.It is a blessing to know you.Keep them coming Nancy and Kelly Edwards

    Reply
  7. Todd Anderson
    01/16/2009

    Hey Angie,
    Thanks for the comment. It’s amazing how things that seem so insignificant can make a difference.

    Reply
  8. Nic
    07/14/2009

    Dave Grohl makes it incredibly clear that his music does not belong to him. He doesn’t know why he writes it, but as soon as it means something to someone else, it belongs to them. This is why he hates Metallica so much…it makes sense.

    We have the benefit of knowing why we write our music. We don’t know why we can’t stop sometimes…but we know why we do it. We’re tapping into something that is ancient, something that needs to be shared, something that Todd does incredibly well.

    For all we know that cd could have landed in fifty cars before landing downtown and that means that it did it’s job. What God does with what he gets out of us is up to him…

    The important thing is that you bought the blues traveller album.

    ~Nic

    Reply

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