The old saying goes, "out of the mouths of babes come great pearls of wisdom..." I was not expecting the Lord to teach me about having an IMPACT by passing a pre-schooler in the halls of Little Miss Sunshine's preschool. (As an aside, "Little Miss Sunshine" is how Nici and I refer to our younger foster daughter on social media to protect her privacy.)
As I was walking in to sign Little Miss Sunshine out of preschool for the day, I passed a mom and two young children in the parking lot. I nodded and smiled, but didn't say anything. As I walked past, I heard one of the little tykes tell the mom, "that's 'Uncle Jason,' Mommy!!! He's a fireman and all kinds of stuff!!"
As I was walking in to sign Little Miss Sunshine out of preschool for the day, I passed a mom and two young children in the parking lot. I nodded and smiled, but didn't say anything. As I walked past, I heard one of the little tykes tell the mom, "that's 'Uncle Jason,' Mommy!!! He's a fireman and all kinds of stuff!!"
I turned and smiled and kind of chuckled as I walked in, but by the time I got to the door of the school, the word "impact" had come to my mind - what kind of impact have I had on Little Miss Sunshine, on my own children, on my wife, on our family, on our church, on our community??
The question isn't IF I have had an impact, but the question is WHAT KIND of impact have I had on those around me? I started thinking that there are a LOT of opportunities I probably miss by nodding and smiling and not saying anything else... I can give the excuse that it's because I can only hear out of one ear, and conversations can be difficult at times. I can give the excuse that it's because my hearing seems to be getting a little worse in my "good" ear, making hearing even more difficult.
I could say that it's because I'm busy and don't have time to talk (I've used that a few times)... And I could say any number of excuses of why I DON'T do something, but what's the real reason?? Do I fear rejection? Do I fear the uncomfortable situations?
Guess what - my excuses don't matter... Here's what matters - Philippians 4:13 says I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST Who strengthens me. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=ESV) ALL. THINGS.
That includes impacting my commUNITY in a positive way for JESUS, through JESUS, and because of JESUS.
ALL. THINGS.
Do I believe it? Yes. Could you convict me of believing it? I hope so.
What about you? What impact are you having in your communities? Your family? Your marriage? With your friends and co-workers?
What's stopping you? If you're in Christ, those two words apply to you too - ALL THINGS.
Make that impact for Jesus. Right now. Where you're at. Watch what happens.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
The question isn't IF I have had an impact, but the question is WHAT KIND of impact have I had on those around me? I started thinking that there are a LOT of opportunities I probably miss by nodding and smiling and not saying anything else... I can give the excuse that it's because I can only hear out of one ear, and conversations can be difficult at times. I can give the excuse that it's because my hearing seems to be getting a little worse in my "good" ear, making hearing even more difficult.
I could say that it's because I'm busy and don't have time to talk (I've used that a few times)... And I could say any number of excuses of why I DON'T do something, but what's the real reason?? Do I fear rejection? Do I fear the uncomfortable situations?
Guess what - my excuses don't matter... Here's what matters - Philippians 4:13 says I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST Who strengthens me. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=ESV) ALL. THINGS.
That includes impacting my commUNITY in a positive way for JESUS, through JESUS, and because of JESUS.
ALL. THINGS.
Do I believe it? Yes. Could you convict me of believing it? I hope so.
What about you? What impact are you having in your communities? Your family? Your marriage? With your friends and co-workers?
What's stopping you? If you're in Christ, those two words apply to you too - ALL THINGS.
Make that impact for Jesus. Right now. Where you're at. Watch what happens.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
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