By Jim Langley | November 30, 2019 | 10:30 a.m.
These days this world seems enamored with reducing our carbon footprint in an effort to save our planet. I have no problem with conserving energy and have even driven a hybrid vehicle for the past few years.
However, I’m not ready nor will my lifestyle allow me to simply utilize the local transit system, but kudos to those who can simplify their ways to make a greater impact toward a conservation effort.
Let’s take this discussion much deeper and wider: Tell me about your footprint.
Let’s not limit our discussion to reducing our carbon footprint. That’s very fine, but I’d like to concentrate this discussion on enlarging another footprint — our spiritual influence in the lives of those God places in our path. You see, it’s fine to cut back in some areas of our lives, but it can be healthy to also expand our borders for the well-being of others and ourselves.
God created us to be social creatures. We were not designed to be alone.
You may not care to be the center of attention, but it’s only natural to want companionship and closeness to others.
In Genesis 1:27, we’re told, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” In Genesis 2:18, we hear the Lord say, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.”
It’s obvious that God knew that being created in His image we would need fellowship and He provided it through procreation.
I personally long for occasions to be around others. Yes, there are times I like being alone, but I do enjoy social gatherings. In fact, I’ve come to even enjoy being on stage occasionally.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t live or die for such opportunities, but I’ve learned to relish having an audience. Perhaps you can relate to this in some way. As a young boy I was quite shy and had no desire to take center stage or even be anywhere on the stage.
When I was 9 years old, my mom enrolled me in a beginner’s tap dance class. I loved learning tap, but soon gave it up when the teacher selected me to be the lead in our upcoming performance. I was terrified to be put in front of all those other kids, thinking all their parents would be watching every move I made.
My mom let me escape and that was the end of a very short-lived dancing career. Fortunately, only a few years later I was blessed to start performing on the baseball field.
Being one of many on the baseball diamond somewhat reduced the pressure and I found great satisfaction in being part of the team effort. Winning was enjoyable, but just being part of the team was the real reward.
That early experience prepared me to work as a team player in business and later in my Christian walk. These days I long for chance meetings with people wherever I go. Yes, I boldly go out on a limb to expand my personal footprint knowing that God wants me to reach out to those He places in my path.
Are you uncomfortable in being around others as you go through each day? Well, God is not looking for comfortable Christians. He wants us to take a leap of faith and reach out to those He places in our path.
You see, He wants none to perish and we’re His instruments to reach those who are unconvinced that He exists. So, please consider gradually enlarging your footprint as you take risks in this journey called life.
God wants all His creation to draw close to Him and to each other. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we’re instructed, “And let us consider how we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Yes, the Day is approaching when Jesus will return and take all who trust and follow Him to eternal life in Heaven.
Are you prepared to join Him in Heaven? It’s not too late. All you must do is acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior and follow him in obedience. He wants all to find eternal life since He died for all.
Passages to Ponder
» 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
» Psalm 138:3-4
» Isaiah 40:9-10
» Acts 8:29-31
» 2 Timothy 1:7
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at [email protected] for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
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