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A Footprint, A Fingerprint and An Imprint
A Footprint, A Fingerprint and An Imprint
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" "What will they put on your headstone?" It's the kind of fundamental questions that accompany us all along the road of life. We want to have significance, to serve purpose, and to matter. Whether motivated by legacy or something larger than self, the thoughtful periodic evaluate the difference they are making to those whose lives they touch. Of all people, Christians should take that matter seriously. Consider this.
You Are Leaving a Footprint - Your decisions are observed by friends, family, and even those who only know you incidentally or even not at all. You are a leader. So many people will eventually wind up somewhere because of what you do with and in your life. Paul could say, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians. 11:1). In the most dramatic facet of this fact, people will be led toward an eternal destination through your influence. You are leading people toward or away from heaven. It's in your heart, attitude, words, priorities, conduct, and passions. To a line of folks longer than you could imagine, you are yelling, "Follow me!" Ask yourself, "Where am I going?"
You Are Leaving a Fingerprint - You are touching people's lives. Your hands are in a variety of endeavors-your occupational life, your social life, your personal life, and your spiritual life. You are a servant of something and someone. Paul says it's inevitable (Romans 6:16). Everyone works at something, even if it's laziness. It's a legacy of labor. Where will people remember that your hands were most often seen? Will your chief legacy be whatever your occupation was? Your civic service? Your material accumulation and notoriety? Your pursuit of pleasure? Or will it be your involvement in people's lives and with people's souls? Consider this challenge, to "strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble" (Hebrews 12:12). Your hands will find something to do (Ecclesiastes 9:9). Make it count for God.
You Are Leaving an Imprint – It is sobering to think that all of us are associated with some quality. When our name is brought up, something-either directly or indirectly-is attached to it. For some, it will be: "grouchy," "gossipy," "complaining," "foul-mouthed," "critical," "selfish," "dishonest," "arrogant," "icy," and the like. Fair or not, such broad labels are typically made interaction by interaction. For others, it will be: "humble," "sincere," "encouraging," "dependable," "loving," "joyful," "godly," "positive," etc. You may feel yourself plain and insignificant, but you will leave an indelible impression on others throughout your life. Even the one talent man, who tried to bury his talent, had to give an account for it (Matthew 25:14-30).
Leadership, labor, and legacy. These are gifts given by God to us all. What a powerful opportunity, one that lies before us daily! The great news is that if we don't like the footprints, fingerprints, and imprints we have left and are leaving behind, we can change course. My favorite version of A Christmas Carol (and the best version!) is the one starring George C. Scott. He captures the remarkable transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, a malevolent miser who becomes a merry mirth-maker. Charles Dickens shows us that anyone is redeemable if they'll genuinely and fervently change. Of course, the Bible beat him to that message (Romans 12:2; Acts 3:19). Our time here is so short. May we all have the wisdom to know what is most important and pursue it relentlessly.
