Transforming Legacy: Finding Identity and Purpose in Christ
Summary
In reflecting on my journey, I shared the profound impact of family legacy and personal transformation. Growing up, I was often told how much I resembled my grandfather, which left me confused about my identity. This confusion led me to a life of excess, from caddying on the PGA tour to entering the home building business, where I surrounded myself with people who indulged in similar vices. My life took a dark turn when I abandoned my son, Brandon, and faced personal tragedies, including my wife's severe health crisis. These events brought my hidden struggles to the surface, culminating in a night of arrest for drug possession.
In jail, I encountered two men who changed my life. One asked me to read the Bible to him, and the other gave me a book by Dr. Tony Evans, "Detours," which resonated deeply with me. The story of Joseph and the concept of using life's detours for God's purpose began to make sense. I realized the importance of building a legacy of godliness, starting from the personal level and extending to family, church, and community. I understood that a man must submit his life to Christ to avoid passing on a legacy of brokenness.
The turning point came when my son reached out to me in his time of need. Despite our past, he saw the changes in my life and chose to follow Christ, inspired by my actions. This experience reinforced the power of living a life that reflects God's love and grace, impacting those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Identity and Legacy: Our identity is often shaped by family legacies, but true identity is found in Christ. Understanding who we are in Him allows us to break free from past confusions and live purposefully. [02:17]
2. The Power of Detours: Life's unexpected turns can be opportunities for growth and transformation. Like Joseph, we can use these detours to align with God's purpose, turning confusion into clarity. [05:39]
3. The Importance of Godly Leadership: A godly man influences his family and community positively. By submitting to Christ, we can break cycles of dysfunction and build a legacy of faith and integrity. [06:16]
4. Transformation Through Scripture: Engaging with the Bible can lead to profound personal change. It offers wisdom and guidance, helping us navigate life's challenges and find hope in God's promises. [05:10]
5. Impact of Authentic Living: Our actions speak louder than words. Living authentically in Christ can inspire others to seek Him, as demonstrated by the transformation in my relationship with my son. [07:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:17] - Family Legacy and Identity
- [02:36] - Life on the PGA Tour
- [03:00] - Personal Struggles and Abandonment
- [03:35] - Tragedy Strikes
- [04:04] - Arrest and Realization
- [04:43] - Seeking Help
- [05:10] - Bible Reading in Jail
- [05:26] - Encounter with "Detours"
- [06:03] - Building a Godly Legacy
- [06:47] - Responsibility and Influence
- [07:26] - Reconnection with My Son
- [07:54] - A New Beginning
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
2. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
3. Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
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Observation Questions:
1. What were some of the key events in the pastor's life that led to his transformation? [03:00]
2. How did the pastor's encounter with the two men in jail influence his journey towards faith? [05:10]
3. What role did the book "Detours" by Dr. Tony Evans play in the pastor's understanding of his life's challenges? [05:26]
4. How did the pastor's relationship with his son change after his personal transformation? [07:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 relate to the pastor's understanding of life's detours and God's purpose? [05:39]
2. In what ways does Romans 8:28 provide comfort and hope during times of personal struggle and confusion?
3. How can Proverbs 22:6 be seen in the pastor's desire to build a godly legacy for his family? [06:03]
4. What does the pastor's story suggest about the impact of authentic living on those around us, especially family members? [07:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt confused about your identity. How can understanding your identity in Christ help you find clarity and purpose? [02:17]
2. Have you experienced a "detour" in your life that seemed negative at first but later revealed a greater purpose? How did you see God's hand in that situation? [05:39]
3. What steps can you take to ensure that you are building a legacy of godliness in your family and community? [06:16]
4. How can engaging with Scripture help you navigate current challenges in your life? Is there a specific passage that has been particularly meaningful to you recently? [05:10]
5. Think of someone in your life who might be inspired by your actions. How can you live more authentically in Christ to positively influence them? [07:54]
6. What practical ways can you submit your work and family life to Christ, as the pastor did, to break cycles of dysfunction? [06:31]
7. How can you support someone in your life who is going through a difficult time, similar to how the pastor's son reached out to him? [07:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Discovering True Identity in Christ
Understanding one's identity is often a journey through family legacies and personal experiences. Many people find themselves confused about who they are, especially when they are constantly compared to family members. However, true identity is found in Christ, who offers clarity and purpose beyond familial expectations. By embracing this identity, individuals can break free from past confusions and live a life that aligns with God's purpose. This transformation allows them to build a legacy of faith and integrity, impacting their family and community positively. [02:17]
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have family expectations shaped your identity, and how can you seek to find your true identity in Christ today?
Day 2: Embracing Life's Detours
Life is full of unexpected turns that can lead to confusion and frustration. However, these detours can be opportunities for growth and transformation. Like Joseph, who faced numerous challenges, individuals can use these experiences to align with God's purpose. By trusting in God's plan, they can turn confusion into clarity and find meaning in their struggles. This perspective allows them to see detours as part of a greater journey towards fulfilling God's purpose in their lives. [05:39]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent detour in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and align it with God's purpose?
Day 3: The Role of Godly Leadership
A godly leader influences their family and community positively by submitting to Christ. This submission allows them to break cycles of dysfunction and build a legacy of faith and integrity. By living a life that reflects God's love and grace, they can inspire others to seek Him. This leadership extends beyond personal transformation, impacting the lives of those around them and creating a ripple effect of positive change. [06:16]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you lead by example in your family or community today, demonstrating godly leadership through your actions?
Day 4: Transformation Through Scripture
Engaging with the Bible can lead to profound personal change. It offers wisdom and guidance, helping individuals navigate life's challenges and find hope in God's promises. By immersing themselves in Scripture, they can gain a deeper understanding of God's will and experience transformation in their lives. This engagement with the Word of God provides strength and clarity, enabling them to overcome obstacles and live a life that honors Him. [05:10]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific passage of Scripture can you meditate on today to gain wisdom and guidance for a current challenge you are facing?
Day 5: The Impact of Authentic Living
Living authentically in Christ can inspire others to seek Him. When individuals live a life that reflects God's love and grace, their actions speak louder than words. This authenticity can lead to transformation in relationships, as seen in the renewed connection between a father and his son. By living out their faith genuinely, they can impact those around them, encouraging others to explore a relationship with Christ and experience His transformative power. [07:54]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you live more authentically in your faith today, and who in your life might be inspired by your example?
Quotes
and i heard the stories of how my mom grew up and and my aunt and then they would look at me and they say everything you do is just like your grandfather your hands your handwriting the way you talk um you're gonna be just like him it was very confusing and so i shut down i went straight from high school to the pro golf tour as a caddy on the pga tour you know tour there for one of the best golfers in the world and over you know five years and and i got off the tour because um the drug use was getting really bad [00:02:07]
the day that i abandoned brandon i'll never forget it it was i was standing in the garage with two duffel bags and praying his mom was holding him on her hip and she kicked me out and i wasn't coming back you know that's where i started you know running in 2009 um tragedy struck my family and you know like my wife at the time was um she had a massive brain hemorrhage called an avm all these dark feelings that i had hidden for so long started really raising their heads all at one time and everything was being taken overnight [00:03:05]
one night i got pulled over by the police and had a large amount of cocaine in my car and i was drunk and high and i got arrested you know i got a mug shot and i'm like oh wow i didn't reach out to god or anything like that but i said i'm never doing this again i've become that guy i said i'd never want to be and i got drunk and high that night [00:03:58]
i was sitting in jail and two-man tank an old man comes in there doing life for murder um you said hey will you read to me so i read to him i read the bible and my life changed forever a couple days later this guy comes in and and he's being charged with arson and murder and all that and and he has this book and he says i can't read you want this and say detours by dr tony evans [00:05:00]
when i was reading it was a story about joseph and i said well i can relate to this is me i start reading this book and it talks about the things that confuse me why things happen and how we use that for god it's making sense to me and so i got up one day and i shared what i was reading out of the book detours and the whole tank came together [00:05:39]
this world is waiting for a generation of godly men who will work from the bottom up personal family church community if you're a messed up man and you have a family you're going to help make a messed up family you must say lord before you there will be nothing more important than the reason i have been created work will now be submitted to following christ [00:06:03]
that my family will now be submitted to following christ i will fear god i will take god seriously pastor evans um the reason why it's so important and that he talks about it so much the legacy of a man and what that means is to take responsibility and when he says that he says that and he does it you know it's just um it just makes sense [00:06:29]
on january 3rd of 2021 um i was in a dark place and the last person i thought i would see would be my son and he reached out to me he says you're the last person i thought i would ever call but i need your help i didn't say anything magical i didn't see anything i was there and january 6 he hasn't had a drink or drug [00:07:17]
he accepted jesus christ and he did that because he saw his dad actions and behaviors he says now i want to be just like my dad [00:07:54]
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