Legacy

The Three Big Impact Quesions

Several years ago I read about a survey that was taken of 100 people over the age of 90. They were ask this simple question: If you had your life to live all over again, what would you do different? The top three responses were:

1. I would reflect more.

2. I would risk more.

3. I would invest more in things that outlast me.

These three responses served as a catalyst to me and caused me to start thinking about the impact I wanted to make with my life. I want to live a life that outlasts me.

What kind of impact do you want to make?

Here are three of the most important impact questions you can ask yourself:

One.

Will I Reflect More?

The Psalmist writes: “ I will study your commands and I will reflect on your ways.” -Psalms 119:15

And Luke tells us that “Jesus often withdrew (alone) to the wilderness to pray.” (Reflect, meditate) - Luke 5:16

And Socrates it was who observed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Your soul is the most important thing about you. You have a body, but you are a soul. Your soul is the essence of who you are. Is is your will, mind, body and spirit all rolled into one. It is the part of you that is eternal.

Therefore, we need to create soul space. Space to slow down and reflect upon and examine our lives, our pace, our motives, our hearts. We need soul detox. An intentional effort to detox from the hurry, the worry, the stress, the schedule, the constant stimulation, the technology, the demands, the kids, the work, the division, the anger.

Yes, we need to detox our souls so that we can reflect deeply on our lives and our direction.

In other words, we need to reflect more. Create margin in your day to reflect. Turn off the TV, the laptop, the cell phone. Detach from the busyness of the world for a little while each day.

My top suggestion for one way to do this if you need help and guidance….read the book Resilient by John Eldredge. And along with reading that book download the One Minute Pause app by John Eldredge. Once you have downloaded the One Minute Pause app start the 30 Days to Resilient reflections each day. This will change your life. Guaranteed. Why? Because reading this book and doing the Pause app reflections each morning and evening will empower you to reflect on your life like never before.

What do you have to lose? Try it.

Two

Will I Risk More?

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses (risks) their life for me will save it.” - Jesus, Luke 9:23-24

When was the last time you took a risk?

Some people don’t like taking risks. They are risk adverse. I get that. Some folks like to play it conservatively.

But I must admit I like taking risks. I like to sail. I like to SCUBA Dive. I like to hunt. I like to do whitewater canoeing. I grew up riding motorcycles.

Maybe the better question is, when was the last time you risk anything for Christ’s sake?

Jesus said we must take up our crosses daily. I think that means risking daily. What does that look like for you? Maybe it is taking a stand at work or school for what you believe is right. Maybe it is befriending the person that everyone else is avoiding or ostracizing. Maybe it is forgiving someone who hurt you even though they didn’t ask for your forgiveness. Maybe it is loving someone else unconditionally. Maybe it is taking time to listen to someone who is hurting. Maybe it is sending an encouraging text. Maybe it is inviting them to church with you. Maybe it is asking someone “how can I pray for you?”

If we want to have a greater impact, we need to risk more. Put our faith in Christ on the line and step into more risky waters with other people as we seek to have have an impact for Christ!

Three

Will I Invest More?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Jesus, Matthew 6:21

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.”

• William James (The Father of American Psychology)

Who are you investing in?

What are you investing in?

Are you investing in things that will outlast and outlive you?

Arguably, Jesus had the greatest impact on the world than anyone in history.

Why? Because he invested himself in the work of God, and he invested himself in other people.

We invest in what we truly love. Jesus said the two greatest commandments were to love God and love others.

Jesus loved God and invested himself in the work of God the Father. He spread the good news. He offered redemption and salvation.

“For God so love the world that He gave His only son so that whomever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - Jesus, John 3 :16

Jesus also loved the church and gave his life for her.(Ephesians 5:25) If Jesus loved the church and gave his life for it, shouldn’t we also commit ourselves to the work of Christ through the church… Even if she is imperfect?

Jesus loved others and invested in them. He loved us and others unconditionally. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” Paul states (Romans 5:8).

Jesus also said, “There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Jesus invested everything in his 12 disciples and the men ad women who followed him. Invest in people the way Jesus invested in Peter, James and John. Invest in people the way Jesus invested in the woman caught in the act of adultery.

In conclusion:

What church are you investing in to advance the work of Christ right now?

Who are you investing in right now? Who are you mentoring? Anyone?

Two take always for you regarding investing:

Make a decision today that you will find a church to invest in for the work of Christ. Attend that church regularly. Volunteer to serve in that church. Invest financially in that church.

Make a decision today to identify 5 people that you are going to invest in and mentor over the next two years. Meet with them regularly. Pray for them. Listen to them. Encourage them.

I am praying that you will have a huge impact as you reflect more, risk more and invest more in things that outlive you!

Blessings