I want to pose a question...do you identify with impact?
With the New Year moving at rapid speeds, I feel the Lord has impressed upon my heart this question. With Facebook, Insta, Twitter, and other social medias, it's easy to get swept up in following people and watching from a safe distance. Sometimes, I go weeks without posting on social media because I get so caught up in just following.
Let me start by saying, this blog is not intended to convince you to use your social media as a platform for Jesus. Honestly, I'd like to leave social media out of the picture for this one.
So, just to be clear on the question, do you or do you not identify yourself with impact?
To be honest, I am at a time in my life where I can't honestly say that I identify with impact. What do I mean by this? Well, if you are a Christ follower, one who is truly pursuing the Lord in every aspect of that ideology, then you should be able to confidently say that you do identify with impact. Why? Because look at our example. Jesus had about 3 years of ministry...yet here we are 2000+ years later almost, and 2.2 BILLION people identify themselves as a Christ follower. So, the reason "why" I want to know is because I, myself, don't think it's possible for someone to NOT have an impact if they are following Jesus.
Do you even have a desire to use your faith for Impact?
I understand if you don't; sometimes, I don't either. But can I let you in on a little secret? Whether you want to or not, you have an impact (good or bad) on everyone you come in contact with. The sad reality is most people choose to ignore that and allow their impact to be subsided to the lust that comes with this world, and I am not just talking about sex. I am talking about materialism, superficial-ism, hiding behind social media, living as though you are not a Christ follower, etc. So let me ask you another question, one I have asked myself for the last four months of living on my own and learning about all my flaws and hidden sins...
Who the heck are you?
Because if you identify with anything other than impact for Christ, then you aren't a Christian. I know it hurts, and some people reading this will disagree...but be honest with yourself: are you straddling two different worlds? I know I am. Just read my last few posts; you'll see all of my brokenness that has latched on with becoming an adult. It is a tough world, harsh and cold. It forgets about you, but Jesus doesn't.
To identify with Impact is to Identify with Jesus. The one and only Risen King. The dad who died on a cross for your stupid sins. Yes. Your. Stupid. Sins. He is the God who still chooses you the morning after your tinder hookup. He is the God who still chooses you after you deny Him in front of your friends. He is the God that wants to rescue you from this ugly, internal desire to have everything... yet we give up nothing for his sake.
So dare I ask again. Have you Identified with impact? It's not too late.
We can turn this thing around together. You have an entire year to devote yourself to identifying with Jesus. What's it going to take? Time, relationships, repentance, grace, and mercy.
But what will you gain?
Let's find out together.
Here is some encouragement as you go about identifying with impact...
1. Know your God.
2. Be ready for conviction.
3. Be quick to repent and ask for forgiveness.
4. Be ready to give up things.
5. Watch and be intentional with your audience.
6. READ-YOUR-BIBLE
7. Be ready for radical things to happen.
8. Be ready to experience and encounter God is ways you have never allowed Him to work before.
"And now brothers and sisters, go and grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider your very lives worth nothing if only you may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to you--the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace. And, as you go, become disciples so changed by God that God may use you to change your world. And, all of this that God--the living God--will make Himself famous through you." -Pantego Bible Church
