When was the last time you touched a life? I mean really affected someone else, I suspect you may never actually know, at least not for certain. There are however many things to consider when we think about what makes a person’s life highly effective.
Why is it that some people we meet impact our lives and others don’t leave much of an impression at all?
Does God really care about how effective we are as individual Christians? Does He care about how much fruit is in the basket? If so then how does one touch the hearts and lives of people they meet?
I’d like to explore with you a few things that the scriptures teach us about being effective.
Be authentic
You can’t be someone else; you can only be who you are. So if you have tried to be like someone or be someone else, then you aren’t being yourself, and since you can’t be them and you’re not being you, then who are you being? JUST BE YOU, it’s easier! Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4
Live life from the heart. People are drawn to others who genuinely care and inspire them. God increases our opportunity to minister and bless those around us when He knows the intent of our hearts is pure toward others.
Learn from your mistakes.
Learning from our mistakes is not easy. Hey admitting that you even made a mistake is even harder. But the freedom and friendship that flows from a heart that seeks forgiveness and reconciliation is far greater than the bondage that past mistakes seem to forge on ones liberties. Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
Be willing to admit when you are wrong.
Seek forgiveness, which God gives freely; but receive it and move forward. The enemy would have you spend your time right there, dwelling on your mistakes. I received a phone call from a very dear friend recently who was struggling because she felt she’d disappointed God. Our conversation led me think, more and more about the power of the blood that flows from Calvary. The blood that Jesus shed for you and me, consist of a continuous flow. It’s not just good for a one time cleansing, (although one time is sufficient) but it cleanses you continuously. How awesome that an omnipotent God decided to fulfill His promise through the finished work at Calvary. We have no need for the blood of goats or the sacrifice of bulls. Jesus paid the price for our wrong doings, SIN… and He PAID IT IN FULL.
Be willing to accept the sacrifice Jesus made.
There are those times when you feel so unworthy, so undeserving but God had a “Master Plan.” He knew long before you even existed what He wanted and needed to do, to reconcile you to Himself. So through what Jesus did – we are fully cleansed, fully forgiven, fully redeemed and fully restored. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:14
So, I ask that same question once again.
What is it about some people we meet, who seem to profoundly impact our lives?
The answer is simple, a willingness to give.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
I sincerely believe here is where we draw a distinction between one who definitely impacts the lives of those around them and those who, well…maybe not so much. The difference is the heart of the person. They give of themselves first to God and then to others. Jesus set the perfect example, His life affected more people than anyone in history. I don’t pretend to have some special gift to see the heart of any man, but the scriptures teach us truth. Those who are doing the will of the Father are impacting lives and bring forth fruit. What is God’s will? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
A heart that flows with LOVE.
Those who are impacting lives are able to do so because they have a yielded heart of love. You’ll find they have a willingness to lay down their own desires, wants, and selfish ambitions and follow the will of God. Interestingly enough, those who are profoundly impacting lives have discovered the true secrets of happiness (which isn’t a secret at all, because it’s for all and available to all). They have found that being in the will of God, and by laying down their lives, they then find it. It’s simple when you consider it; these people are impacting lives but, it’s really not them at all. The difference is the LOVE they allow to flow through them by living life from the heart.
How’s your living?
Has God’s kingdom been established in your heart? Are you living your life to fulfill God’s plan; or are you meandering through the wilderness looking for the next distraction? God has a plan for your life. If you want to start impacting more lives and making a positive difference to those around you, do everything you know to do to yield your entire heart to God. For God is love. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
What better way to impact lives?
The answer is near you. (also read Matthew 7:21)
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 
It’s so weird that my thought of the day was about this topic that you’ve posted. Talk about on the same wave length of thought here. It’s true that we shouldn’t aspire to be cheap copies of someone else when God made us Originals. Awesome post yet again Liz. God bless your Heart 😀
Hey Sherline,
One God, one Love, same Spirit of Truth…Isn’t God amazing?
“To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him.” ~Commission