This article was originally written on September 17, 2021.
Two deaths this year are very personal to me, not because I met them in person—no, I haven’t, but because their impact was indelible and their legacy is now solid. I have realised that what we term actions eventually become our legacy.
The first was Carman. I still remember it was Senior Seyi Ajayi (we called him Egbon Seyi) who introduced me to Carman Licciardello in the mid-80s at FGC, Idoani. By the way, I have been looking for Egbon Seyi for years. But I digress.
Carman’s music fed my early Christian walk. I used to be a fan of pop and rock music, and I was so passionate about Michael Jackson. So, when I was introduced to Carman, I was taken in by his stagecraft first and then the depth of his lyrics. I remember I used to sing his song “Lazarus” word for word. His “Coming on Strong” album was my companion.
Carman had a way of connecting with young folks especially. I could watch his videos for hours. He was an incredible storyteller. His music painted vivid pictures in your mind. His music videos were unusual, as they came with a lot of gripping drama. Watch “Satan Bite the Dust”. It’s a classic. See “The Courtroom”. It will make you think of eternity. He could also send your ribs cracking as he sang. Carman was not just a contemporary Christian music artiste; he was a total package: an entertainer, a preacher, a music artiste, all rolled into one.
One of my best songs from Carman is “Hunger for Holiness”. Initially, I didn’t know he composed it, as I’ve heard many people sing the song. That song is truly deep. I’ve been listening to his song “I Did My Best” today. The lyrics are so touching and go like this:
Lord, I did my best
In spite of all my faults
You know I tried
Whether I was right or wrong
You saw inside
You knew that You had all of me
Lord I did my best
Oftentimes mistakes would be there too
I just did what I believe You wanted me to do
When I’m finally laid to rest
I can say I faced the test
And trusting for the mark
I did my best.
Carman did his best and died in February this year. I followed his battle with cancer, the remission and how it came back. Carman detailed everything on his Facebook page as he encouraged his followers to pray for him. I’ve been watching loads of his videos since his passing.
Carman set the world record for the largest audience at a gospel music concert. His music and that of other greats like the late Keith Green, Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Morris Chapman, Bob Fitts, Andrae Crouch, Graham Kendrick and Ray Boltz blessed me in those early days.
What we term actions eventually become our legacy. Every decision we make and every step we take contributes to the story that will one day be told about us. Share on XThe second person was David Yonggi Cho. My fondest memory of him is his book “The Fourth Dimension”. I still consider it one of the best books ever written. It was a book that revolutionised my life. I read it when I was preparing for my SSCE in secondary school.
It made such a strong impact on my young mind. It was from that book that I first read about Jacob and the genetic mutation of the sheep and cattle he was raising in Scripture. I have put the principles into practice so many times, and I had excellent results.
His book “Holy Spirit, My Senior Partner” introduced me to a deeper dimension of the Christian walk. I was also blessed by his Church Growth magazine, which I subscribed to and received by mail periodically.
That magazine was so rich with articles from different ministers from all over the world. He also set the world record for the largest Christian congregation. He died this week. Before he died, he had his own struggles. At a point, he was convicted and sentenced to prison.
I have been blessed by both men and drew lessons from their lives. From them, I understand how daily actions eventually become our legacy. We interpret our own legacy through the use of our gifts and talents. One man could sing. Another could preach and write.
Both touched the world. When you use what God has given you, you can never predict how far it will go. I also learnt that being blessed does not make us immune to challenges. All men will be tested.
When you use what God has given you, you can never predict how far it will go or how many lives your gifts and talents will eventually touch. Share on XCarman married at 61 and divorced a year later. Maybe he wasn’t meant to marry. He had cancer. Yet his trust did not wane. He still went on a tour. What an example of courage in the midst of crisis!
Yonggi Cho told his church that his sentencing was the hardest day of his ministry. Yet, he moved on. We will fail at times. Sometimes, we fall. But we get up. And go on with the race. The race is never over until the whistle is blown. Both are now among the cloud of witnesses.
Just like Carman sang, it is my prayer that we will do our best and, when we are finally laid to rest, we can say we faced the test and await an eternal crown of glory.