It’s not easy to get out of the “rat race” and to truly access if you’re living your life in such a way to leave an impact. Many of us are young professionals and every step of our lives has been dictated to us up until this point. You’re born; you learn how to walk, talk; you go to preschool; you’re sent to grade school or home-schooled; you want to do well and have the option to go to college; you focus on your studies to get a good job; you start thinking about a family; you marry; you have a baby; you work to provide for your family. Then, without much thought, the cycle repeats itself in another generation. Your purpose seems to fizzle into simply sustaining another generation to have a chance to learn, get a job and provide for the next generation to learn, get a job…
It begs the question, is that really all God intended? Certainly not! And, if we look around, we see people throughout history and even today finding meaningful purpose and leaving an impact on the world around them. The thing is, to get there, I believe we have to take the time to pull away from the busyness of the cycle we’re in and ask ourselves the hard questions: “What impact do I want to leave in the world? Am I truly focusing my time and energy on leaving that impact? What do I need to change in my life to stay focused on the things that will truly make a difference?” I believe you cannot stumble upon these answers while remaining completely entrapped in your current busy state. In fact, even if you’ve had times of clarity and focus in your life, sometimes we let the details and busyness consume us and get lost along the way.
The good news is finding these answers and staying focused is not rocket science. God tells us in the Book of Jeremiah 29:11 that “HE knows the plans He has for you”. He knows what kind of impact He has made you to leave in the world and He is ready to guide you to that destination. Set aside time; put your computer, cell phone and planner away and ask Him these questions. You might feel silly doing it, but go ahead: “Lord, what impact do you want me to leave in the world?” Am I focusing my time and energy on leaving that impact? What changes do I need to make?” If we regularly step out of the busyness of life to pursue His answers to these questions, we can’t miss that great purpose for which He’s called us to.
By the way, the Bible gives us an abundance of clues about His plan for our lives. This Sunday, the last week of the series, we’re going to look at certain scriptures and talk about how God intends us to leave a legacy that outlives our time on this earth; whether 30 days or 90 years, you’re built to leave an eternal impact. What impact are you going to leave?
Anybody out there finding yourself wanting to put off thinking about these kind of things until a more opportune time? Sometimes it’s hard to force the conversation on yourself, but yet, it’s so necessary. Tell us about it…
WOW! “What impact do you want to leave?” That is a very powerful question.
I have always thought about it especially when I grew up among great men and women I still look up to this day. I was blessed to have two of them as my grandparents. Though they have accomplished great worldly achievements in their lifetime, they remained humble and faithful to God till their last breath. All I remember seeing in their eyes was pure love that just emanated all around them. When my grandmother died in a hospital bed, I did not feel sadness nor there was any crying from among the many people surrounding her (four generations together). Her last hug was of comfort to me but I tried to struggle to get free out of consideration for the others around me. She did not want to let go of me but my flesh could not, unfortunately, stand the smell of death and it was all around her. Though I was far from her at the moment of her actual physical death, I felt such a warmth spread of love and probably a hint of compassionate red light of love emanating from her throughout that hospital floor. That what stood out for me that death has no power over love that it extends beyond it. My grandmother is in heaven now but I know that she is still praying for the family that she left behind. And my grandfather is right beside her agreeing with her in prayer. That is the legacy I want to leave…A life filled with love for God and people. As Pastor Dennis’ father has said on his death bed that the only thing that matters most is loving people. My grandparents are known for their kindness and compassion for the poor and the helpless in my hometown. I want to be remembered in the same light but in my own way. That is the impact I want to leave and these worldly accomplishments that I have been achieving and will still be until my last breath are none compared to my love for God and His people.