Living An Impactful Life - Part 2

It scares me when I hear people saying they are better off without Christians in their midst. It really pains me when I hear people saying they have lost confidence in Christians. And my friend, I have heard that many times.

If you happen to be one of those people, I just want to assure you that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. Don't lose confidence in Him.

Thinking about Jesus, I am reminded that during His earthly ministry He came through for many who had lost hope. Those who desperately needed Him were  touched by His compassionate heart and were saved - physically and spiritually.

In our last post we talked about a woman named Dorcas whose life was a blessing to the less privileged. The people who were impacted by her life were desperately hopeless in her death. But when they heard that Peter was around, they had confidence in him that he will bring a solution hence they requested him to come as soon as possible.

We learn that living an impactful life will land you into difficult situations and you must be the solution. When people see you they see hope. When people see you they will know their problems will be solved. They will leave it all to you. They will say, "Ngoba sekukhona wena konkhe sekulungile." (Now that you are here all is well).

That is not easy. In fact, it's scary. I don't know what was in Peter's mind when he was called to 'solve the problem' (Dorcas' death). These people wanted their beloved one alive, end of story! He had to make a difference.

He could have said, "She is dead, there is nothing I can do," and settle with strengthening them with comforting words. But as a man whose mission was to make an impact, he had to take a leap of faith and go beyond the ordinary.

This scene draws us into Peter's secret. To live an impactful life, he knew his Creator. That's why before he did anything, he had to have a one-on-one talk with the Giver of life. He ordered everyone out and knelt down and prayed. What happened after that was extraordinary and supernatural. Dorcas came back to life. This news spread throughout the town, Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. What an impact!

If we are to live an impactful life, we must know the Author of life. We must have a strong and deep relationship with the Author of life. We must depend upon the Author of life!

Living An Impactful Life

"She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor." - Acts 9:36

The story of Dorcas is very brief but very insightful. Quickly we are told of her life, death, and amazingly her resurrection from death. Don't we all wish our beloved ones who have responded to the Lord's call could be raised from the dead? We find solace in the knowledge that those who died as believers shall be raised and live eternally.

The focus of the story is on the impact Dorcas made while she was still alive. She was a dressmaker and she used her occupation to serve the Lord. She stitched her life into the hearts of the less privileged.

We are told that she fell sick and died. Fortunately Peter was in a nearby town where he was preaching and he was called to the room where Dorcas body was. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showed Peter the coats and clothes that Dorcas had made for them. Peter had to ask them to excuse him as he prayed for the resurrection of this woman and the awesome God answered the prayer. How wonderful!

The death of Dorcas was devastating to the widows simply because she had made a difference in their lives. She cared about them and endeavored to use the very talent that God blessed her with to serve them. She brought a smile to their faces and in her they experienced the love of God.

It's a challenge to all of us, especially those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. What impact are you making in society? Whose life are you changing? Are you using the skill or talent that God has blessed you with to bless others? That one act of kindness can change someone's life for good.

When you depart from this planet, who is going to be standing at your graveside saying, "_________(insert your name) is gone but he/she has made an impact in my life and here's evidence."

Living Your Legacy

“These instructions are not empty words – they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” (Deut 32:47)

Some sobering thoughts came to mind a while back – the kind of thoughts we usually choose not to entertain. If you were told that your days are numbered, what would you tell the people close to you? What would you want to be remembered for? What legacy would you want to leave behind?

Well, someone might say, “I don’t care what people say about me, even worse when I am dead and gone!” Truth is people will have something to say about you and honestly, that should not bother you. All you have to do is to be who you are.

It matters who you are. Your character speaks volumes. People will be largely impacted by who you are than what you say. They will remember how you have touched their lives through the way you lived your own life. I often say that there is someone looking up to you and model their lives along yours. Whatever you do will mean something to them. Therefore, it is important to mind your steps in this journey called life for your sake and for their sake.

The Scripture asserts that if only people were wise they would think about their ending. For a moment let us dig from this well of wisdom and ponder over the end of our journey on this planet. People will be paying their tributes, reminiscing of the good times they spent with you. They will be narrating what a ‘good’ person you were. Question is what kind of a person will they say you were?

There is always something they will always remember about you. Sadly, if you were a person of bad character they will remember you for simply that. If you were a person of good character they will remember just that.  Again this begs the question, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

In case you still maintain that you do not care what people will say about you after you are dead and gone I want to challenge you further. What will God say about you? Will he be proud of the kind of life you are living?

My friend, we have a high calling. We are called to exercise godliness. We are called to be like Christ, holy and righteous. We are called to point people to Christ through our lives. We have to preach through our lives more than our words. We are called to lead people to life – eternal life.

Before his death, Moses left a legacy for the Israelites. He gave them God’s law in the form of a book.  He commanded that this book should be read to ALL people so that they would learn to fear the Lord and it was to be obeyed in every detail. It was to be taken to heart.  It was to be passed from generation to generation.  

He lived his last 40 years declaring the Word of God to his people and that is all he could give to them. He said, “These instructions are not empty words – they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” (Deuteronomy 32:47). Today he is remembered for what is known as the Law of Moses.

What legacy are you going to leave for the people close to you? You are living that legacy now.