If
you're like me, you enjoy finding creative ways to make a difference in the
world and in other people's lives - and ultimately for God's kingdom. Yet how
often do we rely on our own strength and energy to accomplish what we think
will make an impact? How is true impact really measured? There are so many
great causes out there and so much work to be done - how do we choose? I often
used to wish I could get feedback from the people I influence as to how I'm
doing, or if my time would be better spent doing something else. This used to
concern me, until I started to contemplate the difference between 'reaching'
and 'touching' when it comes to the eternal impact of a person's life and
ministry.
If you
think about it, reaching involves striving and doing - and there's nothing
wrong with that. The Bible instructs us to "not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6:9. Jesus was not idle during his three years of
ministry here on Earth; he taught, healed, and blessed people from morning
until evening, and even sometimes on the Sabbath. Yet consider what it means to
touch. It doesn't involve planning or doing, just being. Being
available; being honest; being courageous. Touching is all about surrendering
to the will of God and allowing His Light to shine out through the cracks in
our lives. It's no coincidence that the apostle Paul compared us to jars of
clay in 2nd Corinthians 3:7 - "But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
As
great as Jesus' miracles were, the single greatest thing He did was to allow Himself
to be crucified. The touch of that single act of surrender had the greatest
impact on our fallen world. So as reaching involves time and energy, touching
requires sacrifice. Touching demands a depth of character and complete trust in
God and His plan. Do you find yourself wishing your time, energy and finances
were as limitless as your dreams? Young women often have so many big dreams of
how they can save the world, and then life happens and they find themselves a
housewife with a demanding toddler and a sick baby. It's easy to feel
discouraged about your impact when you are measuring it based on your reach -
so why not focus instead on your touch?
Think
of it this way - even if you could give something to the whole world, it would
never have as much impact as being the whole world to your child. Your
sacrificial touch on those closest to you will always produce the greatest
eternal rewards. So keep your focus on Jesus and on allowing the Holy Spirit to
transform you into His image - you'll find it's the best way to spend your
life!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He
shall direct your paths." Proverbs
3:5-6
Ruth-Ellen
W.
No comments:
Post a Comment