Looking Impressive vs. Being Impactful
If you had to choose between the two, would you prefer looking impressive or being impactful?
Galatians 1:10 says “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
In a world where social media projects the current norm and style, we can’t help but be bombarded by the impressive looks of other people. From rich, handsome, beautiful celebrities, to successful and impressive YouTubers and influencers.
There is never a day where we don’t scroll through the basic selfie on our Instagram feed. Going on a vacation, take a selfie. Out having brunch, take a selfie. Out and about with friends or family, take a selfie.
Today the standard of beauty or success is outrageously crazy as they pinpoint the most attractive person and calculate how much a person’s net worth is.
They say “the richer and good looking you are, the more opportunities you’ll get. And if you’re not good-looking, it’s okay, as long as you have a lot of money in your bank account, that will do too.”
How the amount of wealth, fame, and beauty, are all pointing to today’s dangerous word: “SELF.”
P.S. You may or may not be offended by this week’s post. Lol. My only reason for writing this hot topic is because I personally need to re-evaluate my standard of living; in choosing what matters most in my own life.
Am I trying to look impressive so that others can like me? Or will I focus on being impactful to help the people I encounter with on a daily basis?
The choice is entirely up to you.
However, if you can be honest with yourself about the image you’ve been projecting over social media, would you say that you’ve been looking impressive as of lately?
The image you post speaks loud and clear about the true motive of your heart.
It is not wrong to want to have the “likes” of other people. But the danger is when it becomes the main focus of our post. Constantly checking how many people have liked or seen our picture, or feeling down when not that many people responded to our post.
In 2 Timothy 3:1,2 it says “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.”
Could the feeling of wanting to be seen or noticed by someone be a signal of pride, selfishness, and insecurity? Perhaps so.
The truth is we were never created to glorify our own self but to glorify the Maker of Heaven and earth, King Jesus.
He deserves all the glory, honor, and adoration. We are simply His representative, so whatever we do should always point back to Jesus, not to ourselves.
Even in Isaiah 14:12-21, it explained how the fall of Lucifer was caused by his pride to which he says in his heart “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”
Notice how many “I’s” there are in that one sentence. Everything is for me, myself, and I, I, I.
Rather than trying to look impressive, why don’t we learn to be impactful in doing the things of God? Being impactful and effective also means being fruitful in our workplace, school, family, community, etc.
We are fruitful when we produce the good fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Making a positive impact, building healthy relationships, and growing to be all that God has called us to be (becoming spiritually mature in our walk of faith with Jesus Christ).
Don’t worry, all of these things take time. We don’t instantly produce the 9 fruit of the Spirit the next day after we’re born again.
Gradually, day by day, as we continue to abide in Him, those fruit will start to show themselves through the way we think, speak, and act.
It’s not about perfection, rather it’s about progression. We may not be where we want to be just yet, but thank GOD we are not where we used to be.
The beauty of walking with Jesus is that we don’t stay the same. We grow, mature, we become better. Even those who are close to us for many years, recognize a positive change in the way we do life as a true believer.
We no longer want to do the things that displease the heart of God. We are more careful with our words and actions so the people around us can benefit from them too.
The deeper understanding we have about God's truth, the more conviction we receive whenever our old self starts to rise up in us. The old self we’re all familiar with: such as jealousy, anger, bitterness, resentment, disobedience, envy, idolatry, selfish ambitions, pride, and so much more.
2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”
The Holy Spirit lives in us so that He can be our great helper. He is constantly there to remind us how to live a life that is pleasing to Christ.
I pray that we will become a generation that longs to be impactful rather than to “look impressive” outwardly. The status, fame, wealth, and beauty we have or gained over the years DOES NOT impress God.
Trying to impress others, or to be looked at as being impressive will only rub your ego which then leads you to a path of pride and destruction.
Instead, it is the condition of your heart and willingness to do His will that attracts the attention of God.
Will you look impressive or become impactful this year? The choice is yours, friends. Live your life of purpose that brings Him glory.
Live life intentionally,
Sharon