by Warren Baldwin

Have you heard the saying, "Your influence counts: use it"?

George Bernard Shaw wrote, "This is the true joy of life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverishly selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

Ouch! Instead of being a problem, we ought to be a solution. Instead of expecting the world to make us happy, we ought to be working on someone else's behalf. Instead of just letting life happen, determine a truly worthy purpose for your life and spend all your energies on it.

Jack London said it this way: "I'd rather be ashes than dust! I'd rather my spark would burn out in a brilliant blaze than be stifled by dry rot."

Same idea as Shaw's, just put another way. "You won't find me decaying from within due to lack of something worthy to do. I'll burn my life out in a worthy endeavor of my choosing."

Jesus said it like this: "You are the salt of the earth ... you are a city on a hill that can not be hidden ... you are lights in darkness ..." (Matthew 5:13-16). How are we salt, a city, and lights? By our good deeds.

Too many people let life happen to them. Jesus says life is something that is within us. In a world of darkness, Christians can be light. In a world of despair, Christians bring hope. In a world of violence, Christians work for peace. In a world of selfish pursuits, Christians think of others. In a world of blandness (don't let exciting computer games and ritzy clothing styles mask the blandness that is within), Christians are salt.

The ideal is ...

We don't blindly follow customs ... we set them.

We don't acquiesce to societal norms ... we question them.

We don't despair at a community's questionable ethics ... we challenge and change them.

An easy calling? No. But has God called us to a life of ease? Or to be a "force of nature"? Do we want to fade out of the picture, or be a "brilliant blaze" in a world that needs light? Are we truly ready to be salt, a city, and light by the undeniable quality of the good lives God has called us to lead? Does our influence really count? Or are we content to leave it hidden in the safety of church buildings?

A small village received a beautiful sundial. The villagers were thrilled with the gift, but soon worried: Might the sun and rain deface their gift? They decided to protect it for future generations. So they built a roof over it.

God does not intend for your influence to be hidden or protected by the safety of the sanctuary. He wants it "out there," challenging the way "things are."

You can't find a better purpose for life to spend your energies on than that of the life-long search for truth, godly living, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.