Personal Legend

May 16th, 2026
by Bruce Smith

To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation.
-Paulo Cuelho, The Alchemist

_____________________________

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.
-Romans 1:20 (NLT)

_____________________________

Good stories often have a way of reflecting THE story, whether they intend to or not. The story of God, his existence, his unending love and amazing grace, and his life-giving sacrifice show up in some form or another in any good story. Our hearts are inexplicably drawn toward the truth that resonates in the characters and events. One of these truths is that our life has purpose.

_____________________________

November 23, 2018 – God created you for a purpose and works in you and around you to always move you toward it. I love the term “personal legend” because it just sounds so epic. Despite being a part of a great church and amazing ministry, I can’t help feeling that God has more in store for us. It involves writing, the knowledge of languages, and maybe a camp or life center of sorts. I don’t know why I know that, but I do. Lord, help me understand and step into my personal legend.

_____________________________

God doesn’t try to hide his plans and purposes from his children. Ask him for ears to hear and eyes to see, then spend time today listening. Find a quiet space and just listen. It may take a while to quiet your mind. Give yourself some space and time and write down your thoughts and impressions. You should then be able to wade through what is you and what is God. Practice this as often as you can.

_____________________________

*Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist, trans. Alan Clarke (New York: HarperCollins, 2014).