Real Impact
Many of us grow up with dreams of changing the world. We're told we're special and destined for greatness. But what does making a real impact actually look like? Is it about innovation, accolades, and accomplishments? Or is it something deeper?
What Really Matters in the Long Run?
A wise friend once asked me a profound question that changed my perspective: "What you're pouring yourself into—your time, talents, and treasures—will it matter 1,000 years from today?" This question cuts through the noise of our busy lives and forces us to consider what truly matters in eternity.
Despite all our modern resources—Christian music, videos, technology, and instant access to Scripture in any language—something concerning is happening in our faith communities.
The State of Christianity Today
A recent study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University identified seven cornerstones of a biblical worldview:
Possessing an orthodox biblical understanding of God
Recognizing all humans are sinful by nature and every choice has consequences
Knowing Jesus Christ is the only means to salvation
Believing the entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant
Accepting absolute moral truth exists as defined by God
Understanding the ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love, and serve God
Viewing success as consistent obedience to God
While 80% of Americans identify with at least one of these cornerstones, only 3% embrace all seven. That means 97% of professing Christians reject at least one fundamental aspect of biblical faith.
What Can We Learn from the Early Church?
To understand real impact, let's look at the early church in Jerusalem. In Acts 6:1-4, we see the disciples facing a challenge: caring for widows while continuing to spread the Gospel. Their solution wasn't to do everything themselves but to select seven men "full of the Spirit and wisdom" to handle this ministry.
The result? "The word of God spread and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. And a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7). Even Jewish priests—the same people who had been instrumental in Jesus' execution—came to Christ because they witnessed these men living out their faith through service.
Are We Innovating When We Should Be Imitating?
In our modern church culture, we often focus on innovation—new programs, better technology, creative approaches. But the early church shows us something different: the power of imitation. We're never called to innovate the Gospel; we're called to imitate Christ.
The church in Thessalonica provides another powerful example. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 that they "became imitators of us and of the Lord" and as a result "became a model for all the believers." Their impact was so evident that Paul said, "we do not need to say anything about it, for people keep telling us" about their faith.
What Is Our True Platform for Impact?
Not every platform looks like a pulpit or a C-suite position. Your platform might be your family, workplace, neighborhood, or social circle. Wherever God has placed you, that's your mission field for making disciples.
Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
This calling is simple but not easy. It requires courage to swim upstream, to respond differently when insulted or angered, to stand firm in your faith when it's unpopular.
How Does Courage Spread?
Billy Graham said, "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of many are stiffened." When we courageously live out our faith, it inspires others to do the same.
Think about Paul facing persecution yet remaining committed to sharing the Gospel. His courage strengthened the early churches and continues to inspire believers today.
Discipleship Over Production
Real impact is about who you're investing in, not what you're producing. It's about discipleship—investing in the lives of those around you to help them grow closer to Christ.
We don't need to create something new or innovative to make an impact. We simply need to take the perfect model we've been given in Christ and live it out daily.
As the song says: "I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody all about somebody who saved my soul... I'm living for the world to see nobody but Jesus."
The Danger of Ego
Our ego—which can stand for "Easing God Out"—tempts us to make things about ourselves rather than Christ. When we focus on building our own kingdoms instead of God's, we miss the opportunity for eternal impact.
God doesn't ask us to do everything perfectly or have all the answers. He simply calls us to imitate His Son. As one father realized while worrying about preparing his children for life's challenges: "You don't need to do all that. All you gotta do is imitate my son. Just imitate Jesus. I'll do the heavy lifting."
Life Application
What platform has God given you? How are you directing your time, talents, and treasures toward things that have eternal impact rather than temporary value?
John 17:24-26 reminds us that Jesus continues to make the Father known through us "in order that the love that you have for me may be in them also, and that I myself may be in them."
This week, challenge yourself with these questions:
In what areas of my life am I trying to innovate when I should be imitating Christ?
Who has God placed in my circle of influence that I can intentionally disciple?
What courageous step of faith can I take that might inspire others?
If I evaluate how I spend my time, talents, and treasures, what percentage is focused on things that will matter 1,000 years from now?
Remember, real impact isn't measured by worldly success but by faithful discipleship. It's not about building your platform but using whatever platform God has given you to point others to Christ.