What Kind of Impact are You Making?

This is my second year to come to this conference in Kansas City. It was in Dallas for three years. There are two hotels connected together with an inclosed walk way. In the hotel I'm in, there is also a three level center full of stores, restaurants, two theaters, etc. In the other hotel there is a nice cafe that looks up about four levels with walkways all around it. In the stores in this entertainment center, workers were buttons welcoming all the children's ministers to the center and their stores. I know it might not sound like much, but there are workers through out this center recognizing those who lift up Christ in the lives of Children. Someone made an Impact.

In the other hotel, in this large open air lobby, stands a nude, female statue. However, just like last year - someone has created a table cloth dress for our nude beauty. I guess they figured a thousand children's ministers would frown on their "artwork." Someone has made an impact on this hotel. (Of course, to my frustration, I've over heard children's workers complaining - "I don't know why they have to do that. It's art!" I pray they kept their mouth shut and let this hotel honor the Godly vertue of modesty.)

Tonight we heard a speaker who has lived his 52 years with cerebal palsy. He lost both of his parents at an early age. He spoke of how he had lost all hope and often prayed to just die. His sister, who didn't go to church, kept telling him he needed to go to church. He finally did, and though he'd been in church through out his earlier childhood, finally learned that God loved him and had great plans for his life. His entire attitude changed. It changed so much, that the teachers at his school noticed. He was happy. He was walking tall. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. So, at this large public school, they called an assemble and invited him to tell the entire student body what had made this change in him. He walked up on the stage and told of how he had gone to church and learned God loved him and had a plan for him. Did I mention this was a public school? And though he walks with a limp and has difficulty speaking he graduated collage, and is a preacher. He has a beautiful wife and four children. His message, if God can use me - just think what he can do with you! God takes our weaknesses and makes us strong. He truely was an inspiration. He kept the entire audience glued to his every word.

I pray you let the Lord use you to make an Impact in the lives of others. Even if it's just making a table cloth dress for a nude statue in the middle of a hotel full of Christians.