Leaving a lasting impact on those around us is what many of us want to accomplish with our lives. I know I do. Yesterday, I lost such a person in my life. He was a former pastor, mentor, father figure, and a man of deep faith. His character was evident when he came and sat with me after my dad died unexpectedly.
My favorite Pastor Gene story goes back to when we were new to the church. We were greeting others on a Sunday morning. Pastor came by to thank us and ask if he could stop by our house that afternoon. We said, ”Sure.” My husband looked at me and said, ”I wonder what that is all about?” I said, ”He’s going to offer me a job.” Curt responded, ”Yeah, right.” Later that afternoon, Pastor stopped by the house and offered me a job in youth ministry.
That was over 20 years ago and since then I have watched lead with his faith first over and over again. Then and now I see him as an example of what a life well lived looks like. He made a lasting impact on many lives.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,[a] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of[b] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NRSV).
He ran the race very well. I hope to run it well. Reflecting on his life reminds me that it takes perseverance and connection to others to run the race well, to make a lasting impact. There is no magic formula. It is a continual effort to live like Jesus, love like Jesus and lean on Jesus.
Do you desire to leave a lasting impact? Are you willing to keep leaning into Jesus and persevere? How do you run the race? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.