Who Inspires You?

If we look back at our lives we probably can think of people that we have encountered along the way that have inspired us. They inspired us to do something more, to rise above the average, or to make a difference in a positive way.

Many inspire us through their actions, causing us to stop and take notice and say, "Wow. That's really neat." or "I wish I was that giving."

Some inspire us with their words. A pastor delivering a powerful message for example. Or hearing someone's testimony of how they came to faith in Christ despite all the difficulties and struggles they faced. THAT is inspiring!

My sister once gave me an oil painting of a bald eagle. It wasn't very good really by the world's standards. I could tell it was a bald eagle but it wasn't as good as other eagle paintings I had seen. That is, until I learned that the artist did not have any legs or arms. This person had painted the entire picture using a paintbrush placed in their mouth. Suddenly . . . that painting! WOW!

I recently asked a group of teens and young adults who inspired THEM. Some of the answers were amazing. One young lady said it was the music director at her church who inspired her to play and write music. Another said it was a man who runs the local food pantry, helping to feed the areas poor.

My friend Cheri inspires me. She has an incredible passion for youth, especially in under-developed countries. She volunteers with Compassion International. She is currently in Africa visiting some of her 8 0r 9 sponsored kids. Imagine . . . someone with Compassion working FOR compassion. Kind of fits. :)

I have a friend named Kelly who inspires me. She and her husband Ben have a room in their house Kelly calls "God's room." It's for whoever God brings into their lives who needs a place to stay and a family that will love them.

My wife inspires me too with her love and devotion to family and her ceaseless work. My best friend inspires me when she prays for her children and her husband and through her desire to know God more. My kids inspire me as I watch them starting families of their own. My friend Cheri inspires me with her love for the lost children of this world through her work with Compassion International.

I have a theory that committing intentional selfless acts are a direct result of God's acting through us in our lives and the lives of those around us. I believe God uses ALL people for His ultimate glory, whether they believe or not. But more so through those who believe. It is God's Holy Spirit that lives in us and acts through us. I feel God is directly responsible for ALL inspiration and he should be praised for it.

The people mentioned here as being "inspirational" have all done something unselfish for someone else? Do you have a person like that in YOUR life? You do! He hung on a cross for you. His name is Jesus.

Are you going to inspire someone today? There may be people around you who are in desperate need of inspiration today and perhaps God has designated YOU to serve Him in that way.

Well? What are you waiting for? Inspire someone today! He will be glad you did.

"36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:36-39

This video is a compilation of Liberty Mutual commercials. See if it inspires you to inspire others.

Inspiring Others video

Impact

When I was a youth leader at our church I had the honor and privilege of feeding into the lives of hundreds of amazing young people - at youth group, rock concerts, mission trips, and just daily life in general. It is so encouraging to watch teens grow. They are basically seekers. They seek answers, they begin to question authority, they laugh and they cry but really they all are beginning to search for something we ALL crave - relevance and truth.

As one might guess from the title of this post, youth leaders exist to have a positive impact on the lives of youth. But what's really neat to see is youth having an impact on the lives of other youth! It's a ripple effect, like the picture above. Take someone with an ability to lead and a passion and love for Jesus, then drop them in the middle of a group of other teens. That one spark turns into a flame, fed by God's Holy Spirit. Next thing you know you have one amazing group of teens - all on fire for Jesus!

It's exciting watching young, passionate adults impacting the lives of those around them. Some of our recent high school graduates have felt led to spread the Gospel to the world. They didn't just complain that somebody should do something about those who don't know Jesus. THEY were the ones who did something. One guy just got back from Africa, the Philippines & China, two others just got back from Mexico and are now preparing to go to Romania. Awesome! They are making a tremendous impact in this world for Christ.

There are other teens; however, who are just waiting for someone to impact THEIR lives. This world is not an easy place in which to live And they find themselves just trying to survive, let alone impact others. But even in such a dismal place as a young teens broken heart there is hope in Christ.

When ever I am in a conversation with someone who is complaining about something, I will eventually ask them this question.

"So. What are you going to do about it?"

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you say something like, "Boy, this sure isn't right. Somebody ought to do something about this." Did you ever think that maybe God has placed you in a situation like that, wanting YOU to be the one to do something? And just how many times have we disappointed our King by doing nothing?

I was having a conversation with one high school girl about a year ago. In it she was complaining about all the "drama" that takes place at school and on Facebook. It was getting so bad in HER life that it really began to affect her. So, I asked that question. "What can we do about that?" Well, we came up with an idea - turning a negative into a positive. We created the No Drama Facebook page.

There are many things we can do to inspire others, inspire them with the love that God has placed in our hearts. I'd like you to watch this video and see what some people did to inspire others. They were like a rock dropped in the ocean, the ripples, the waves reached distant shores through their one inspirational impact.

Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day

Now . . . what are YOU going to do to impact the lives of those in YOUR life, YOUR mission field? Whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God. :)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16