When all is said and done, if your legacy of leadership included being a devout Christian, giving liberally to the church and building one of the still most recognized church buildings in the world...you might be named a saint. To be recognized as legitimate by even the Queen of England, to expand the borders of your country exponentially, organize schools, establish the first printing house, erect conservatories for the arts, and be a reformer dedicated to local self governance...you might be labeled progressive. And if your rule lasted over half a century, you might even be called beloved. But on this date, January 16th, in 1547, when Ivan was crowned as the 1st Tsar (Caesar) of all Russia, he soon after became known throughout history as...the Terrible. Not even the famous "onion" domes of St. Basil's in Moscow can change that!

The word terrible in a modern context could mean extreme unpleasantness or incompetent low quality. But in those days it connoted a formidable dread...the word is defined as dangerous. Thousands of his "enemies" were executed in his "purges", he was always making war (and lost his share of them) causing countless casualties, and he originated the idea of a "secret police". He went through 8 wives...and whether they ended up drowned, poisoned, or in a nunnery (the worst)...let's just say he wasn't much of a family man! And his only viable potential heir, his son...he ended up killing him in a fit of rage with a blow from his staff to the head. At his death and the end of his reign (of terror), the nation was in disarray...it would take another century until Peter (the Great) put the country back on track.

I don't single out this observance because Russia is a hot topic these days (it is) or because the quality of leadership there hasn't improved all that much (it hasn't). And I doubt any of my readers has the capacity or opportunity for causing terrible things to happen to so many people. Maybe it's just to ask this question... what will your legacy be? Taking into account all of your high and low points, successes and failures, strengths and fragility...say your name and then "the". What word will be spoken next? How will others finish the remembrance? What term would you supply that would apply? That appellation could define your heritage in family, neighborhood, and in every community that you might find yourself in...be it leading or following.

Let's just say I don't want mine to be terrible! Ivan made his bed while he was alive...now for forever he has to lie in it. We who are living at least have a chance to fortify our moniker...or change it! And if you're not sure what it might be, or what you might want it to be...a nice list of suggestions appears courtesy of Paul in the 5th chapter of his letter to the Galatians, beginning at the 22nd verse. Try one on for size!

Here's to filling in the blanks while you still are able!

Brent the Pastor