Making an impact

It's that time of year. The time to remember what Jesus has already done for us. As soon as I realized that I am a sinner and need to be punished for the sins I have and will commit, I came into a loving relationship with the one who already took the punishment for my sins. This completely changed my life. It took me from a party animal to a radical Christian desiring to serve God in any way that I could.

Before coming to Uganda, most of you know I worked with both middle school and high school students. The thought that often crossed my mind while serving as a youth group leader was "Am I making any difference in these kids lives?" I watched on the sidelines as so many kids fell into drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, etc. It was a tough pill to swallow. I can't lie...I was a little jaded. Lots of time invested in so many kids and I stood and saw so many walk away from the church. I wondered if there was any good to what I was doing. I was burnt out.

Lately, I have been struggling with that same feeling at times while serving in Uganda. I watch as kids take for granted the amazing opportunity they have to go to school and learn about a God that loves them so much. I wondered silently why God had brought me here.

Then God used some former students to really encourage me and show me how I might never see the fruit of the labor I am currently putting in. In the last 3 months, I have received about 5 random messages from students that I either taught or worked with in youth group. Each had something to say about the impact that I had on them in one way or another. I even had one student tell me that I'm like her Christian dad. That touched me more than I could imagine.

A few years ago, I was at In-N-Out when I noticed a young man staring my way. Finally, he came over and asked if my name was Darren. Instantly I remembered this kid from when I served at Ascension Lutheran Church as a confirmation teacher and youth leader. It was a time in my life where I was pretty radical with the changes in my life. He told me how much of an impact I had on him. How I played a part in his faith. He had wholeheartedly committed his life to Christ in part because of my influence on his life. I was amazed. This was almost 9 years later. What a blessing from God.

So whatever way you are serving God. If you are thinking that it's all in vain. I am here to tell you that the opportunity to impact just one life for Christ is better than giving up on what God's call is for you. Make an impact on those around you. You may never see the results, but God does. As we celebrate Easter, let us be who Christ wants us to be so that those around us are impacted by what Christ has already done for us!