Shine Bright, Shine Far

Hello All,

Recently I was reviewing some old Bible study notes and came across this quote, “You cannot change the world, but you can change your world- influence your world.” 

It struck me as I am in a season of life where there is a lot of change happening and I am trying to structure my life around the will of God. For the first time in my life, I am really taking joy in being obedient to the Lord and His leading in my life. As I take steps of obedience to follow Him, I am praying that the changes in my life are not just internal, but external.

I pray that the people around me can see the changes in me. I have to remind myself that it won’t be an immediate change but gradual changes. (Which I am not that good at, hello impatience and perfection.) And since I have mentioned perfection, I also have to remind myself that following the will of God is not about being perfect, it is about progress. Every step of the way is progress, and I have to remember that it will never be perfect. I cannot get upset with myself when I make a mistake. 

Making one mistake is not the end of the progress. It is a lesson; the problem comes if I keep making the mistake. Then I am sinning and knowing I am doing it. My story to the world, my life, my testimony is all part of a grander plan. If it was linear with no dips or hardships, it wouldn’t be much of a testimony. 

I think a lot of the time it is easy for me to forget that just by following Christ and living for Him, I am influencing the world around me. Every time I choose not to listen to my flesh, I am influencing the world. And the world includes Christians and nonchristians. Each person I come into contact with on a daily basis, I will influence one way or another. Big or small. But I have to consciously choose if I am going to let worldly influence or Godly influence reign in every interaction. 

But influence doesn’t just happen when I interact with someone. It happens in the way I carry myself. In the way I portray myself. Again, I’m not saying that I have to pretend that everything is fine all the time, I’m a human who lives in a fallen world, of course there are going to be times when my anxiety gets the best of me, or emotion gets the best of me, or life is just happening. In those moments, I don’t have to act like I have it all together (Thank God!) but am I acting as a person who relies on self to fix the issue or as someone who has a God that is bigger than all the problems. 

So, my goal is to influence my world for God. I want people to see Jesus in me. I will continually pray to be able to do this as life does get hard. I pray I let Him lead my life in a way that is good and pleasing to Him. I pray to be a light in this dark world.

Much love,

Victoria