Sunday I shared the stories of three major Bible characters in a message called “That’ll Leave a Mark.” For what will you and I be known when we leave this earth? What about ten years from now? What impression or lasting mark are we making on people?
Noah left the mark of faith. Because he believed what God said about a world-wide flood and the need to build a four-story sailing vessel (that was as long as one and a half football fields) his family was spared, and grace through faith became a prominent Bible theme. Noah couldn’t hide his faith during those five to seven decades while he built the monstrous ark. No. He had to be open about it. In a culture where the world is open about EVERYTHING it is time for Christians to quit hiding our faith.
Abraham left the mark of obedience. He fully obeyed God even when he thought it would cost him his son’s life. Because of his obedience, Isaac, his son, learned God is always good. God can be trusted. God will come through in a crisis. Isaac never questioned what it meant to obey God fully, and as he shared the story about his near death experience with generations to come, neither would they.
Moses left the mark of mentoring. He took time to give Joshua leadership opportunities. He taught him about leading battles, about working with others, about reporting and processes, and how to get connected to the presence of God (Exodus 33:11). Every time we invest in raising someone else up we leave a mark through their lives which will impact countless lives.
So, as you head back to school or to work tomorrow, think about what impression you want to leave with people and what investment you can deposit into their lives. Will it be your faith that inspires them to want to believe God for themselves? Will it be your obedience, even when it’s hard and calls for sacrifice that points them to the God who will also become their Provider in moments of crisis? Or could it be your mentoring, your sharing of opportunities and your giving of courage to people who just need an opportunity to try to do something for God? May God enable us to leave a mark that will bring Him glory and draw others into His presence just as the lives of Noah, Abraham, and Moses.
Pastor Melissa
