BY MARK WILBANKS
Impact
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson, the man who was credited with breaking the color barrier for African-Americans in baseball, was quoted late in his life. He paved the way for many others who just wanted an opportunity. During the MLB season on April 15th, all the players will wear his uniform number 42 to honor his contribution to America’s pastime. He dared to make an impact.

He also said, “Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.” At some point, you have to decide to get in the game. Few of us could earn our way onto a major league field but all of us have ways to impact the people in our circle of influence.

You might be surprised at the eyes on you, those who are watching to see how you live your life. It starts with our most intimate relationships. Our families and friends can see us at our best and our worst. Some of our most impactful moments will come when we get knocked down. Will we get back up, blame someone else for our woes, or just quit? Jackie Robinson had plenty of moments flat on his back. He kept getting up.

As Christians, we are given many opportunities to impact our world. In our day of division and strife, it is time for believers to speak the truth in love and live out our convictions based on God’s Word. Our playing field is full of divine appointments where the grace of God becomes our incentive to demonstrate His love. Too many times Christians have justified the world’s opinion that we are judgmental, insulated, uncaring, and rigid. The authors of Growing Young spoke of “myopic spirituality” – a dangerous complacency that can rob us of vitality and relevance in a cynical world.

For Wieuca, impact is more than just a word. We are marshalling our people to specifically address five areas of need where we can make a difference: generational poverty, refugees, human trafficking, public servants, and seniors. You are invited to Impact Night Sunday evening beginning at 5 to learn how you can get out of the grandstand and get in the game.