Hello reader,
So I did not actually plan on writing a post today, but I was on facebook and a status got me thinking. The status was a quote that said:
"We look into mirrors but we only see the effects of our times on us - not our effects on others." -Pearl Bailey
This quote just got me thinking "Have I ever effected anyone significantly?" I'm not sure how to answer that question because I can't remember an occasion where someone told me I made a significant impact in their life. I'm also thinking maybe I'm selfish for wanting to make an impact in someone's life, but I'm not sure if it is. The only things I remember doing are the small things in life.
I know I cannot make an impact on my own. Only through God who strengthens me can I make an impact. This makes me wonder how God has been using me. At this moment, I'm not really sure. Right now, I'm thinking about a few weeks ago when I was at Jesus Burgers. A freshman from FT showed up drunk and was trying to talk to Daniel H. and I. During their conversation, I was mostly just listening. I felt the conversation was getting nowhere because they kept interrupting each other with their own views. After a while, the guy left the area Daniel was giving burgers to. When I decided to go upstairs, the drunk guy came up to me and started talking. He said all he wanted to do was give advice about how we should run Jesus Burgers because he felt that we try to force Christianity on him. The only thing I could do was listen because I did not know how to answer to him. Then he tried asking me questions I was not sure how to answer. I felt more comfortable once Katie Klezek showed up and started talking to him as well.
When I think back on that incident, all I can think is I only listened to what he had to say. It makes me wonder if it affected him in any way. I felt that I could have done more than just listen. Maybe I was trying to do it by myself at the time. I feel I could have asked God to help me more than I actually did. I cannot do anything about that now.
What are your thoughts on this? Have I affected anyone in a big way? Am I being egotistical for wanting to make an impact?
I need to pray to God about this. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." I feel if I prayed to God more often about using me, maybe I would be able to do more.
Anyways, thanks for reading this. Until next time...
Kenneth
Kenneth, you can make an impact. In fact, you can make an impact on your own without God even being in your life.
ReplyDeleteLet me explain.
By existing and interacting, you are leaving a mark (some larger than others) on people. Mere interactions. The person I am today is partially a result of the interactions I've had with others. Some interactions I remember, others I dont. But they all somehow brought me to where I am today.
I said that God is not necessarily involved all the time because God is GOOD and therefore is only working in your interactions that better peoples lives. I think you do better peoples lives simply by living for Christ. Let others see the joy you have and the willingness inside you to serve.
Impact isn't only with words.