Our church has created a new mission acronym for its members, and each week, our pastor has been unfolding it. The acronym is LION, and the “I” is “Impacting the World.” It’s really gotten me thinking. This word is a bit like the Kool-Aid post in that it isn’t a “go dig in the Word and see what it says about the word” sort of word. However, although the Bible doesn’t necessarily reference “impact,” it is most definitely implied!
Let’s start with the dictionary. (n) the action of one object forcibly contacting another (v) coming into forcible contact with something; having a strong effect or influence on someone or something.
Here is what is coming into my focus about impact. When someone or something effects impact, it changes a course or trajectory. When we comment that a certain person had an “impact” on us, it is inferred that this particular person changed the direction we were headed in some aspect(s) of our life. When a car hits a stationery object, the object is moved in the direction that the car was traveling upon impact. When a car hits a moving object, the object is either stopped or caused to move in the direction of the traveling vehicle. I have been picturing a scene from science class when we studied meteors, and I keep envisioning the hole that is created in the earth when the meteor lands. In the earth, there becomes an indention created by the force of the meteor striking the earth!
There is a logical connection here that correlates to our lives as believers. It seems that the impact is twofold…one impact causes another. God’s Word impacts/moves/changes us so that we can, in turn, impact the world for Jesus! 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (NLT) The NIV translation says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” All of these benefits of God’s Word help to change us into who He designed us to be.
Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God’s Word changes different people in different ways, but it always accomplishes His purposes!
I love this statement by Rick Warren! “The Bible describes itself in different ways. For example, it calls itself a hammer, a sword, and a scalpel. All of those are tools designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change our lives.”
So if we are changed by the Word of God, what will we be able to do because of that “impact” in our lives? We will be able to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). We will be able to compel people to come into the house of God, that it may be filled with believers (Luke 14:23). We will be able to make disciples of all nations, baptize them in Jesus’ name, and teach them to obey His commandments (Matthew 28:19-20). We will be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13) and a city on a hill. We will turn sinners from the errors of their way, save them from death, and cover a multitude of sins (James 5:2). We will do good and share with those in need (Hebrews 13:16). We will give food and clothing to others (Luke 3:11). We will encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), comfort each other (1 Thessalonians 4:18), and let our lights so shine among men (non-believers) that they would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Finally, we will stir one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
You see, when we allow God’s Word to change, chisel, mold, and refine us, we allow God to use our “new” self to encourage, comfort, give to, and change those around us.
Lord Jesus, please help us to be teachable people. Help us to hunger and thirst for your Word and your righteousness. Help us not to fall into the trap of being “too busy” to read your Word, but to allow ourselves to be “impacted” by it. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your Spirit, to be changed by your Word, and to allow ourselves to be a vessel that you use to change the lives of those around us. Help us to make a Jesus-shaped change/indention in our world. In Jesus’ name, Amen!