Cultivate a Life of ImpactSample

CULTIVATE A LIFE OF IMPACT

People define success or impact in life in a variety of ways. Impact is a marked effect or influence on the lives of others. I have come to realize that we do not choose whether we have influence on others, but we can determine the quality of our influences.

1 John 2:12-14 (ESV) is so relevant -

‘I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.’

In the kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we want to grow young believers into confident and competent "young men" and then into "mature fathers" who are beacons of hope who influence the next generation in their sphere of influence. In the kingdom of God, we have no spectators, but beloved sons and daughters who mature into ambassadors for Christ, so while this passage does refer to young men and fathers, it is applicable to all of us as we grow to maturity in Christ. Think instead of these as stages in our Christian development. In this series, we will explore what it takes to cultivate a life of impact.

What foundations are necessary for this journey?

• As children –

We discover our passion and desire for God. This intimacy with the Father forms our identity and reinforces our true nature in Christ. Our intimacy with the Spirit empowers us to live out this new nature with integrity. Matthew 6:33 invites us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which means we embrace Christ’s lordship over every aspect of our personal lives. This positions us in right standing with the Father and we no longer seek our own righteousness.

• As young men –

We discover the same passion Christ had for the purposes and priorities of the kingdom. The realigning of our beliefs and values takes priority in this phase of development as we become strong in the Word of God. Romans 12:2 reminds us to not become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. Instead, to fix our attention on God and be changed from the inside out. What God has to say about any topic is far more important than the culture around us suggests. This positions us for right living.

• As fathers –

We have authority in the spirit because we are prepared to take responsibility in the kingdom. Out of love for what the Father loves, having come to know His heart and gaining insight into His eternal purposes, fathers have aligned their lives accordingly. Now they’ve become role models for children and young men to prove what the will of the Father is. Fathers in the faith become spiritual ecologists. They create the kind of environments that are conducive to spiritual growth. They become the pillars of society in which the Person, Presence, and Purposes of Christ become real. By their very presence, they demonstrate public lordship and establish His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Two questions to ask today –

1. Do you strongly resonate with the spiritual maturity of a child, a young man, or a father in the faith?
2. What impact would you like to see through your life?

Our prayer -

Father, I surrender fully to You today. I seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As I partner with Your purposes and priorities, would You mature me into the full stature of Christ and may the effect of that impact change this world forever.