Impact

Why Impact?

We have walked through consecration, establishment, obedience, faithfulness, increase, service, harvest, excellence, and generosity. This month we take up impact: transforming lives and communities. Fruitfulness is not only for ourselves. It is meant to touch the lives of others and to shape the communities we are part of. Impact is what happens when the fruit we bear reaches beyond us: lives are transformed, and communities are changed for the glory of God.

In Matthew 5:14–16“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” We are light. We are not meant to be hidden. We are meant to shine so that others see and glorify God. That is transforming lives and communities.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14–16 (NIV)

What Impact Means

To have impact is to make a difference that lasts. It means our lives, our good deeds, and our witness are visible. We do not hide our light under a bowl. We put it on a stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house. Impact is transforming lives: when people encounter us, they encounter something of Christ. Impact is transforming communities: when we show up with the love and truth of Jesus, neighborhoods, workplaces, and families can be changed.

Transforming lives and communities also means that we do not take credit. Jesus says our good deeds are so that others may glorify our Father in heaven. Impact is not about our name. It is about God's glory. When we let our light shine, we are pointing to Him. That is the heart of impact: lives and communities transformed so that God receives the glory.

Let Your Light Shine

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. We are that town. We are the light of the world. Our calling is not to blend in but to shine: to live in such a way that our good deeds are visible and that others glorify God. That is our focus for October: to be intentional about impact, to let our light shine before others, and to see lives and communities transformed for His glory.

A Word for This Month

Let October be a month of intentional impact. Ask the Lord where He wants your light to shine: in your family, your workplace, your neighborhood, or your church. Do not hide under a bowl. Put your lamp on its stand. Let your good deeds be visible so that others may see and glorify your Father in heaven. We are transforming lives and communities when we live as light in the world.

You are the light of the world. Let your light shine.