only a moment.

Have you ever thought about how different your life would be without certain people in it? Without the impact that they had on your life? Would you still be who you are today? 

In March of 1999, my cousin, Erica, died in a horrible car accident. She was only 16. I still consider her funeral to be one of the most influential moments in my life. Her friends from high school got up and shared about the way that she lived her life. They said that they had never known anyone who was so real and genuine. They cried through stories of how her strength and encouragement changed their lives. Her faith was tangible and she impacted more people than she would ever know. Even at 8 years old, their words moved me and set the stage for how I would go about living my life, or at least, it’s how I try to live. 

These are just some thoughts that I’ve had recently on the importance of your influence. We are only on this earth for a moment. Influence is continuous, cyclical even: others influence you as you influence others. Think about those who have influenced you in some way. Some may have had a little impact, while others changed your life. Regardless of the size of their contribution, have you taken the time to thank them for the impact they’ve had on your life? If not, you really should consider it, because chances are, they are completely unaware. 

And have you thought about the impact that you might have had or are having on someone else? Influence happens in a moment, and sometimes we’re oblivious to it. What kind of influence are you having? Positive or negative? Are you speaking life or death? If actions speak louder than words, stop talking. Evaluate what you’re doing, because if your actions and words contradict each other, you’ve already lost your voice.  

I Timothy 4:12 

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Your life is full of moments, full of choices that are guiding where you will walk. Your choices leave a mark, a path, if you will. The question is...

Are your footprints worth following?