Stories of legends inspire and interest many of us.
Whether they are fictional or true, we enjoy reading about them, watching movies of them or being told about them.
A legend is a person who has done or achieved something extraordinary, something remarkable, and historical through sacrifice, character, ability or strength.
From warriors to kings, sports men to politicians, business men to men of God, poets and writers to orators and public speakers, we find then standing out in every field of life.
We even have animals that are legends in their service to humanity- dogs that have won medals in the armed forces.
From the police to the military forces they have demonstrated heroism, sacrifice, and obedience.
Some have fought in wars, lost their lives saving their handlers, rescuing people and getting injured for the sake of team and country.
Such dogs are heroes.
There is the story of Hachiko, an Akita Inu breed of dog from Japan who is reputed for legendary loyalty.
Hachiko's life story has been made into a movie- HACHIKO (2023).
Hachiko's story is a timeless reminder of love, the loyal love of a dog to its owner.
Hachiko died on the 8th March 1935 but he is still remembered today among movie fans and dog and animal lovers.
Hachiko was owned by a Professor, Professor Ueno.
Professor Ueno later died but Hachiko didn't know.
He was used to the routine of waiting at the train station daily for his owner like he had always done.
He knew the time of the day the train Professor Ueno boarded from work arrived at the train station every work day and Hachiko never missed a day, waiting patiently in front of the train station to welcome his master and they would make their way home together.
Hachiko continued going to the train station daily, waiting patiently and faithfully for 10 years after his owners demise, until his own death.
Hachiko never lost hope, he died believing Professor Ueno would come out of that train station one day.
Whenever his master didn't arrive, he would go back home and repeat the same procedure the following day
Hachiko is a legend in my opinion, his character, patience, hope and loyalty qualifies him as one.
There is a lot we can learn from Hachiko.
Legends tend to be people who faced odds, who confronted the impossible, broke records, and achieved the unimaginable, sometimes for the greater good.
Most people don't turn out as legends in life, and people who turn out legends or die as legends didn't plan it.
Situations, circumstances, a great cause, fate or the call of their life's assignment thrust greatness and a legendary status upon them.
Our choices matter, our decisions go a long way.
There are people who were presented with the opportunity to be pioneers, they were presented with the chance to be on the good side of history, they were offered the opportunity for greatness but blew it due to poor choices and decisions.
Judas Iscariot comes to mind.
He had the opportunity to go down in history with a good name, he had the once in a lifetime blessing and privilege of walking with, being imparted by, and learning from Jesus when He was in the flesh.
He could have been one of the 'fathers' of the early church and Christian faith, he could have made heaven, perhaps he could have ended up a legend like John the beloved, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul but he made choices that made him lose his place, his position and eternity.
He chose the path of betrayal.
He reaped the consequence.
We don't have to be like that!
There are lessons we can learn from Judas Iscariot.
Legends are great people.
Great people are often betrayed.
The legend of Jesus the Christ will continue to ring from generation to generation and all through eternity.
He was betrayed.
He also didn't allow betrayal to stop Him.
You may have been betrayed, don't allow betrayal to stop you.
Betrayal is not the end of the story.
The betrayal you faced doesn't have to be your full stop.
Be sure not to be the one who betrays, that does not have to be your script or story.
Legends are people who often proved their doubters wrong.
They achieved or overcame the impossible.
Jesse Owens, Roger Bannister, and Usain Bolt are regarded as legendary athletes.
Jesse Owens is an athlete who triumphed over adversity during the time of Adolf Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy which Jesse Owens crushed with his achievements at the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin where he won four gold medals.
Roger Banister is the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, a seemingly impossible feat before he did it.
He shattered a major physical and psychological barrier.
Usain Bolt is regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time.
The only athlete to win both sprint titles (100 metres and 200 metres) at three consecutive Olympic games.
Oleksander Usyk is a boxing legend.
Regarded as one of the greatest boxers in modern history who became undisputed in both the cruiser weight and heavy weight divisions.
He rose from a small village in Ukraine to the pinnacle of boxing!
King David is a legend.
With one of the most inspiring life stories, the shepherd boy who became king, first of Judah then Israel is regarded as the greatest leader the nation of Israel has ever produced outside of Jesus Christ.
King Solomon is a legend.
His legendary wealth and wisdom puts him in a league very few mortals or kings can boast of .
King David and King Solomon are evidence that it is God who makes kings.
They enjoyed grace.
Grace is the God factor.
It is God who makes people legendary for the qualities that make legends who they are were given to them by the Lord.
God is the Lord.
Samson was a legend.
Though flawed like many legends can be, he was blessed with the gift of might.
Samson could do more as one man than an entire army could do.
No man has been known to operate with that kind of legendary might, not before Samson or after Samson.
Haille Selassie is revered by some (Rastafarian movement) as the living embodiment of God.
Whether you accept that or not, that belief creates a certain mystery and legend around the last emperor of Ethiopia who was regarded by some as a prophet and resistance hero.
He is believed to be from the lineage of king David.
He had an incredible 20th century legacy as a leader and he lived a great life.
William Shakespeare is a legendary writer and literary giant.
The most legendary figure in English literature.
He is the most quoted author in history.
"The stuff of legends.
This is a phrase that refers to a person, event, or object that is so extraordinary, exceptional, or remarkable that it feels like it belongs in a myth.
It describes something so impressive that people will remember it and tell stories about it for years to come."
With that which is legendary, words like extraordinary, exceptional, remarkable, great and greatness stand out.
God makes legends out of men.
"Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."
Isaiah 60:15
It is the Lord that changes our story and makes it great!
He is the one who picks up an individual and makes legends out of them.
"the Lord "raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap" to "make them inherit the throne of glory"
1 Samuel 2:8
There are stories, characters and change of fortunes we see from the scriptures that are the stuff of legend.
Many promises in scriptures are the stuff of legend.
The Lord "raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap" to "make them inherit the throne of glory"
1 Samuel 2:8
It is the Lord God, who made David legendary.
Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth.
2 Samuel 7:8-9
It is God who distinguishes, scripts our lives, changes our stories and makes legends of men!
"The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
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