How Can I Change the World?

Ok then … that’s done. Time for moving forward. 2021, here we go!

My word of the new year is…..

Influence. This was a tough word to settle on. The way this usually works….usually meaning the last two years…I start thinking and praying for a word around November and usually draw blanks for a while until something creeps in. I usually dismiss it afraid I’ve just come up with something I want for myself. I debate over how it will sound that my word is “worthy”, or “influence”, so I keep praying and trying words on for size, but nothing sticks. The word tends to creep in to conversations, by other people, or in something I read, or a song, until I finally say, Ok God, is this the word you want? And then it just settles into my heart as I surrender to it.

The next step in fully accepting the concept of this word, is letting God work it out as He intends. In 2019 my word was Serve. I thought it meant serving more in church, but turns out, the first three months of that year, my life centered around serving my Gram at the end of her life. I didn’t even realize it until after the fact, and once I did, was overwhelmed by the detail of God’s provision.

Influence. I wrote it on my mirror when I first heard it so I could see it, think on it, meditate on it a bit, and all I kept thinking was that it sounds very selfish! Would I love to be an influential best seller? Of course! But I wasn’t sure that was the point of the word of the year. And then one day, hauling the crew around listening to the array of conversation between the boys, our daughter and the toddler, it hit me:

It’s them. They are my greatest circle of influence. I love writing, I think God has gifted me with an ability to write and He continues to put ideas in my brain! But if I want to change the world, it will be through them.

Through this lens, I could see it. I don’t want to forget where my greatest priorities lie. It them.

It’s living a life that represents what I believe, right here under my roof when no one else can see but them, even if I didn’t get enough sleep….even if they aren’t obeying…..even if I’m over it…..even if….

It’s practicing what I preach about using kinds words when someone makes you mad, or controlling your temper when you want to fly off the deep end, or working hard at something you really don’t want to do at all.

It’s sharing the good news of the gospel with them in Bible study and devotion when they are less than interested, and not just on the socials where likes and influence are fleeting.

It’s in every aspect of our life… schooling, working and playing….it scares me somedays how closely they watch and now (Lord help me) God’s given me a word for the year to illuminate it.

My greatest influence in this life is to pour into them the truth of their Heavenly Father, His love for them, their role as sons and daughters of a King, the hope, joy, peace, and mercy, they can always find in Him. My greatest influence on their lives would be encouraging them to be rooted in the Everlasting, living for Him, and influencing those around them for the kingdom.

Praying health, and hope for you in the coming year,

~Jules