Sounds peculiar
Outlast yourself.
But if you are a somewhat mature person, you understand.
My worklife is filled with the effort to make money outlast the people who temporarily possess it.
Spiritually and influentially we should be working to build a life and an effective witness which will outlast our own lives.
If we care enough to invest in ourselves and the Gifts given us and then take that to get involved with and Impact others ….
lasting Influence can occur.
Do you think the young Billy Graham ever thought as he was hanging from trees and pretending he was Tarzan….that he would have eternal influence on the whole world ?
As he began preaching to
Youth for Christ groups across the country, do you think he felt that he would be listed as one of the worlds most admired people over 55 times since 1955, more than any other individual since George Gallup began the List?
He had a large visual influence and
influence which was almost unnoticed.
He counseled Presidents and led great multitudes to Christ……
but you probably do not know that in 1963 he posted bail for Martin Luther King at the Birmingham jail.
He counseled Presidents and yet when I saw him in Miami Beach, in the early 60’s …I felt as if he spoke individually to me.
He simply did his upmost with what was given him.
He fully exercised his gift in whatever was laid out for him to do.
He did not quit when he reached “ retirement” age.
That “r” Word is not in Scripture.
Obedience precedes lasting Influence.
Obedience to what you feel driven to do.
It happened with Mr. Graham, Joyce Meyer, Chris Hodges……it can with you as well.
Its a principle not confined to our young years.
It’s a principle not confined to spiritual things.
Yet it is most eternal and positive in it’s Influence that way.
Lennon and McCartney have lasting Influence that has surpassed what they could have dreamed as they grew up in Liverpool and grinded in the basement clubs in Hamburg.
Yet, will that Influence be of real effect or value 100 years from now?
Albert Einstein had great influence and still does. And will for generations.
Adolph Hitler will most likely never be forgotten, as will Genghis Khan and Alexander.
Hitler still effects thought. But, it is to the negative.
Jesus and His remaining influence is without compare.
Its effectual, constant and contemporary and eternal.
Thomas Jefferson. CS Lewis.
Winston Churchill.
These have left great and positive influence
We may not have or leave Influence as these three …. but they did not think they would early on.
Jefferson suffered greatly in the loss of his two sisters and lingered in loneliness and abandonment until two professors, George Wythe, and William Small invested themselves in him.
C.S. Lewis fell away from his faith early on and was drawn back to the Anglican Church at the age of 32 by the INFLUENCE his friend, JRR Tolkien.
Churchill asserted himself in his young years and on into his eighties. He was of great influence, fell out of favor….was persistent in his stances and non negotiables…and eventually was the major and motivating force in the preservation of the sovereignty of England.
Lead your life to have an Impact.
If you do that….you will leave an Impact.
Decipher what it is and then Pursue your passion and calling diligently.
Pursue it and push after it with your full involvement.
Be consistent in it.
Do not stop working at it ….even after reaching age 65.
The results and the lasting effect are up to others.
Lead a life that will outlast you.
Make a mark.
Not many people get a statue ….
but your stature can effect and influence lives for many generations …and some for eternity.
And, as long as you have the breath of God in you, you should keep at it.
Terry Bethea 