Hello, dearest TMARian!☺️ I think I now have another name to call you other than ‘TMAR tribe member’, and I hope you’re cool with it😁. I trust that this month has been unfolding smoothly, and every day has left you with heightened expectations for greater things that you are still going to accomplish. I’d like to just remind you to keep going, fam. You are self-sufficient in God’s sufficiency!🔥
Today’s topic is one that is sponsored by a build-up of events, thoughts, and reflections from last month up till now- some interactions at work and with friends, a teaching series from my church in October, and one that has more emphasis this month. With this build-up, I believe this is a really good time to talk about this certain kind of life that is worth living, among other things that you want for yourself and how you want your life to turn out, and I’m hoping you’ll run off with a point or two that will stay with you for a long time.
I’d love to begin by saying that as humans, we desire a lot of beautiful things for our lives, and consciously or unconsciously, we have a course or progression naturally set; talk of being born and growing to the point where you start school, go through the school years up to your preferred highest level of education, get a job or choose a preferred career path, get into a meaningful romantic relationship with marriage in view, get married and start a family, successfully climb up the corporate or career ladder, and keep going until the older years when the body system or the society says it’s time to go home and rest, spending those late adulthood years reminiscing on and recounting the quality of life lived to the people who matter, and then, the point where the final bow and the last breath comes.
While this might look like a good summary of a well-lived life, it wouldn’t be complete if there isn’t allowance or consideration for making a difference in your world and in the lives of everyone who comes along your way through your words and actions. All that being said, I have this to put out to you; A life of impact is one that is worth living.
Amidst every vision that you’ve carved out for yourself and all that you want to do , you need to think about and actively work on being the voice and face of positive change in your world, beginning with your immediate environment. I’ll repeat that; your desire to change the world or make an impact should begin first in your immediate space and with the people around you.
In all you do, think about putting smiles on people’s faces, being an answer to a prayer you might or might never even know they uttered, being a solution provider to a problem, being graceful with your words, defending the helpless, letting your resources pave the way for someone, or showing that little act of kindness that is going to change everything. Everywhere you go, keep doing good- that’s impact-making right there!
As we go further, I’ll be pointing out some more key things to note about a life of Impact. Shall we journey through the coming paragraphs together?
I mentioned earlier that impact is making a difference. It could also be bringing about a noticeable change or being such a strong voice of influence in a person’s life, either directly or indirectly. However, it is worth mentioning that this difference you’re set to make can either turn out to be positive or negative, depending on the quality of who you are as a person. Wow, does that sound a bit scary? I’ll give you an example in a minute.
It’s a good time to pause and think about some famous names you’ve heard growing up, some of which have been used as examples of virtues and vices in History, Social Studies, or Civic Education classes in primary or secondary school. As you hear the names of some notable or noble people who made a move towards preserving what the Nation stands for or achieved some other big feats, you must have also heard names of people who whose presence negatively shook the communities they resided, whose names were the reference point when being taught never to engage in vices that could tarnish your image, and whose endings were pointed out not to be a ‘peaceful death’ because their mode of death was publicized for all to see.
I hope you haven’t forgotten how we got to this point. Well, we were talking about an impact being positive or negative depending on your input. It is important that your impact leaves a positive mark behind, which in turn is going to translate into a good legacy that will outlive you and keep speaking years after you’re no more on the stage, behind the microphone, or in the face of lights and cameras.
Have the mindset that you are not just in the world to pass time or live all for yourself and nothing else, you are here for serious business. You are here to live for God and make a difference in the lives of the people He has made, one or more persons at a time. Thus, every action and conduct in any position you find yourself must remind people about God and His love for them. Always remember that you have an identity to protect, and you are representing God.
This also implies that as a person who is seeking to make a positive impact, your stand for good values and virtues must be known. You have to pick a side, and that side is no other than the one that upholds living and doing what is right, even if it means you are doing it alone or you’re the only one standing for the truth in that space. Don’t be afraid to be the odd one out for the right reasons.
The mindset behind your desire to make an impact should not be for fame, but genuinely to make a difference. However, sometimes, fame and influence might join your wagon and be a part of the journey. If that happens, it’s all good, and if it doesn’t, it’s equally fine. When fame comes with the package, don’t lose your good heart and acts of love and service. If fame never comes knocking, don’t feel bad or think you’re doing anything wrong. At the end of the day, what matters the most is that you are fulfilling your purpose.
Be aware that every little positive difference you make in the life of someone is worth it. You have no idea the magnitude and quality of the potential that you are building with your words, actions, and presence, or the kind of power house that this individual could turn out to be in the long run.
Therefore, learn to see everyone as people who matter to God. See them through His lens, and see them as His image. It doesn’t matter where they currently are in their journey, understand that there is always room for improvement. Learn to build people up and not tear them down, knowing that your actions leave a mark on them.
There is a saying that ‘a place where you can write your name and be assured that it will never be forgotten is in the hearts of people’. People often do not forget acts of kindness and mercy. Have you ever been in a situation where you met someone and thought it was your first meeting, but the person then goes ahead to tell you that you’ve met before and starts to recount the nice things you did for them or they saw you do for someone else, whereas you could not even remember it ever happened?
That is to tell you that you should always do good, not because someone might be watching, but because that is the person you are. It is who you have been called to be, and the core of your nature as someone made in God’s image. Imagine how much better a place the world would be if we all had a mindset of making a positive difference!
Are you aware that there is nothing you do that goes without a reward? Rewards come in different forms, and they can come immediately, later, or even last a lifetime. But one thing is certain, there is a reward for everything you do, be it good or bad. Thus, your acts of impact will always pay off at the end of the day. There is a reward from you, both from God and in the hands of people. There is always a blessing attached to doing good.
Making an impact cuts through all aspects of your life, including work. If you work a 9-5, you’re self-employed, or perhaps even work remotely, you spend a good number of hours per day interacting with people either physically or virtually. Don’t you think that you should make those hours count and be worthwhile for everyone around? A significant part of making an impact is ensuring that your environment is conducive enough for people to grow, and be a better version of themselves. Create a safe work setting, a space that is not toxic or avoided.
If I’m to talk about one of the best sermons I’ve listened to this year, it would be the one titled ‘Grace on Monday’, which was part of a teaching series we had in my Church in October. The discussion has a number of wings revolving around the workplace or career, one of which is being known for impact and excellence in what you do, and being an ambassador of the Kingdom you represent (God’s) every other day of the week, and not just on Sundays.
I could relate so much to the sermon because of the nature of my job, and I’ll break it down briefly as it resonates with what I’ve been addressing in this blog post. Also, I have always wanted to share what I learnt from that sermon, so this is a good time to do that.
Let me introduce it this way; When many of us who are medical personnel were getting introduced to the field as students, of course, it was at the back of our minds that duty would call even on some special occasions and general holidays (such as Sundays, festive seasons, public holidays, etc). However, I think the reality fully dawned on us after we got fully settled into the system and had to spend some very special occasions in the workplace.
A good example is being at work during New Year’s Eve. If you are someone who values community and fellowship with believers, you’ve always had the culture of being in church on a day like that, or it really matters that you cross over into the New Year in God’s House, then you will understand how it hits home so much when you have to be at work at that kind of period when celebration, excitement, and shouts of ‘Happy New Year!’ fill the air. For some people, it happens more frequently that duty just always calls during these special seasons and services. I remember a friend sharing with me how her physical church presence has been affected because more often than not, duty calls on Sundays.
While the job demands can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on your work setting, there is something you must always have registered in your mind, which is what makes that act of service you render to society worthwhile. When it was shared during the sermon, it touched me deeply and gave me a renewed sense of commitment to this path I have chosen as a medical professional.
I reckon that as a Nurse, I am a representative of God in my field, and a co-labourer with Him in saving lives and bringing healing and restoration to people🔥📌. I am making a significant impact in people’s lives, and every intervention must be carried out with the mindset that I am a vessel standing between my patients (or clients) and their answered prayers (such as getting restored to health, having their newborn baby in their arms, getting on their feet again, making it out alive and well out of the hospital premises, and happily reuniting with their loved ones).
An example was shared during the sermon which I’ll in turn share with you. Imagine getting a call that a relative was in an accident and was being rushed to the hospital, and at that moment, the only prayer you could offer other than asking God to save the person is to pray that there would be capable hands on his or her arrival in the Hospital to rise to the occasion and salvage the situation. This goes a long way to define who we are as medical personnel, the significance of what we do, and how well we do it.
Thus, even when work calls on special occasions, I do it joyfully knowing that a life is being saved by my hands. Every life that I come across matters, so I must perform my responsibilities excellently. What I am doing brings honour to God and does not take me away from Him. Just as the first man (Adam) fellowshipped with God in doing his given assignments (tending the garden), my job is also a form and channel of worship to God. It is a platform through which my light shines before men, they see my good works, and God is glorified.
This is not in any way to excuse being separated from God in the place of devotional excellence and commitment. If you work in a setting that affords you the chance to be connected to services online even though you are at work, feel free to do so as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the care or service you should be rendering at that time. However, it is important to emphasize that even when you are not able to spend all the time you would love to with Him, you are standing tall as His good ambassador by being faithful in the garden (job) He has given and planted you. This does not just apply to my field, it also applies to yours📌.
Wow, that was one long take on work and career, but I’m glad I finally got to talk about it! Now, let’s keep driving the discussion on Impact. I’ll move forward by saying that when it comes to impact, you can always dream and think big! If all you can afford is to take care of one person and get them off the ground, it is absolutely worth it! That’s a whole human being and an entire destiny right there! However, if your resources can carry more than one person, then don’t hold back.
This is like unto the previous point; do away with the average mindset. Whatever it is you are doing, be it for one person, hundreds, or thousands of people, give it your best and do it excellently. Let Colossians 3:23 (NIV) which says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” be your watchword.
I think we have covered much ground, but it wouldn’t be complete if I fail to mention that resources will always flow in the direction of a heart of impact. When your heart is in the right place and in the direction of a selfless ambition, you will always have the resources you need to fund the assignments by providence. The One who gave you the role and put those good intentions in your heart can sponsor it beyond your imagination. You can count on Him!
Yes, this is what I’ll call my stop for today! I’m so glad I’m finally putting out this post, it’s been quite an interesting write for me, and I’m happy you get to read it too. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing☺️. I really look forward to reading your comments on what stood out for you from the post, or a resolution you made as regards making an impact going forward. Kindly remember to share the link with a friend as it might help them as well. Till I write you again, keep making a positive difference in your world!💫
