Have you ever stopped to wonder how far-reaching your influence might be in this world?  That sounds pretty grandiose, doesn’t it?

I pondered a similar thought this past week as I was considering this ministry, and what often feels like a lack of impact. Not in a “woe is me” kind of way, but simply in a more analytical sense. 

Over the past five years, I’ve had times when I’ve been extremely active with speaking engagements and radio interviews and book publishing, and of course, the ever-present blog posting.

I’ve also had seasons where it felt like very little was happening other than the weekly blog and a Facebook group.

 I’m somewhere in the middle of those two extremes right now and I find myself mostly content.  So I was thinking about whether there really is an ebb and flow to the influence of this ministry, regardless of the busyness of it.

Take this blog, for example.  I’ve been writing something almost weekly since February 2018.  In the early weeks, I got a decent amount of interaction with the readers which was always encouraging.  As time went on, I think I became a more regular part of their routine, which is actually a really good thing.

I don’t often get many comments on the posts, but occasionally someone, who I perhaps rarely hear from, will write a really sweet note to me, letting me know how much they appreciated a particular blog post, or even the totality of the posts.

Of course that’s wonderful, but should I come to rely on it, or God forbid, need it to feel like the messages are resonating with my audience?

I would imagine pastors keenly experience this phenomenon on a weekly basis as they pour their hearts and minds into sermon preparation, with likely minimal feedback.

All this to say, does it really matter whether we see the eventual impact of our actions or not?  And now I’m talking about all of us.  Let’s even go a step further and call it our “purpose.”  Lots written in both the Christian and secular worlds about having a purpose.  And sometimes I fear that does more harm than good, because what if you don’t think you have one?

So let’s simplify this a bit and take a look at one of my favorite scripture texts, which so beautifully helps us put this issue into the proper perspective.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Just what kind of good works might God prepare for us?  Here’s just a tiny sampling:

• Sending an encouraging text, email or note to someone who is struggling.  Perhaps even a phone call!
• Providing a meal for a family with a new baby, or a health challenge.
• Complimenting the grocery store clerk on her cheery disposition, or cool earrings, or fun nails.
• Financially supporting causes that are important to you.
• Letting another family member have the last piece of cake.
• Crying or praying or rejoicing with a friend.
• Crying or praying or rejoicing for a friend, by yourself.
• Apologizing when you’ve wronged someone.
• Taking criticism or challenges without fighting back.

SO many more… Did you notice I didn’t include any big things that could look more like having a defined purpose?

The reason is that the impact of a seemingly small gesture versus the more grandiose ones might be essentially the same.  Why, you ask?

Because of four very important words in that scripture: “which God prepared beforehand.” 

We didn’t just happen upon these opportunities.  God has them laid out before us.  Or laid them on our hearts. And don’t you think that, since they are God’s good works, he’s going to do something incredible through them?

So here’s the answer to our title question – No, we don’t need to see the end result.  We just need to be obedient to how God leads us, and trust the impact to him, knowing it will be exactly what he intended.

Might we see the results of these good works in Heaven?  In my very limited human thinking, it could be one of the most exciting rewards of this earthly life.  May we all keep our hearts open for God’s opportunities.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,

but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration

and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5