Articles
Our Spiritual Footprint
We hear a lot about our “carbon footprint,” especially from environmental hypocrites who fly around in private jets telling others how they are damaging the planet. The rules never apply to the self-righteous.
But the hyper-awareness of how much we have warmed the globe, fouled the environment and wasted our resources led me to think about a more important impact we are having on the world – namely, our spiritual footprint. That is, by our daily actions, life choices, influence on others, etc., are we moving the needle of spiritual influence at all? Are we conscious of making such an impact as we go about our lives?
Consider:
Don’t underestimate the impact you can have on others. It is natural for us to reflect on those who have impacted us in a positive way in our lives – parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, friends, etc. We can all think of words of wisdom, special experiences shared, examples set by those who were either mentors or more casual acquaintances.
But as we mature we need to realize that we become the influencers. It may be uncomfortable to think of yourself as the adult in the room: the parent who is creating long-term memories in the minds of children; the teacher who is planting seeds of God’s word in students; the counselor whose advice can potentially reshape one’s worldview.
Consider the chain of influence:
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Ph 4:9).
“These hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Ac 20:34-35).
Paul was conscious both of teaching and setting examples for others, and so must we be. This is not arrogance; it is reality. We all have influence.
You will not always see the effects of your spiritual footprint. Another element of a mature mind is to engage in or do things because they are right, not necessarily to achieve a specific outcome. There are a lot of things we will not do if we use false metrics. For example, I have spoken to an audience of 15 people, and I have preached to 1,500. Do I owe those 15 less effort or enthusiasm than I owe the multitude? Some athletes have admitted that it has been difficult performing to empty seats and deserted stadiums. Perhaps they have confused the love of their sport with the cheering of the crowds.
In response to the factionalism in Corinth, Paul noted a great truth about spiritual influence: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed … I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Cor 3:5-7). It is rare to see one’s efforts all the way through from a person’s conversion to their spiritual maturity. The lesson here is not one of immediate gratification but patient, gradual efforts to make a positive difference in someone’s life.
Maybe it is the consistent example set before your neighbors of going to worship every Sunday/Wednesday; maybe it is not cursing in the midst of a stressful situation; maybe it is the unheralded acts of kindness and courtesy that you show to strangers without expecting anything in return. The focus is not to do what is right and then immediately get feedback on its impact. Rather, plant and water and let God handle the fruit-bearing.
Your spiritual footprint has an expiration date. I don’t say this to be negative, but simply to acknowledge a truth that Ecclesiastes develops more fully: “For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come” (2:16). “There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man” (9:14-15).
Your influence, even your great contribution to the common good, may be completely overlooked. You may affect your children significantly, your grandchildren to a lesser extent, and future generations little. The impact of your life fades; few are the words that get chiseled into granite for posterity. Do the right thing; take advantage of the present moment; be content with influencing the people in your orbit one at a time. The spiritual footprint of humble service will make the impression God desires.
