You have the potential to have a lasting impact. Whether you believe it or not, it is true. We can become so busy and caught up in our day-to-day schedules and routines that we forget that we can make a difference for Christ daily. Understanding the impact we can have gives us the boldness to ask God to extend our reach and give us a double portion so that we can have an even greater impact for Christ.
One man who prayed for a more significant impact was Jabez. He prayed in 1 Chronicles 4, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory!” Jabez prayed. In other words, Jabez asked God to make his life significant. He wanted his life to matter. He wanted to have an impact. During this time, one’s land, or territory, was one of the main indicators of one’s impact. By asking God to expand his territory and bless him, Jabez was praying boldly for God’s blessing on his life. He wanted to live a meaningful life and did not shy away from asking for this. He wanted to have an impact.
When thinking about significance, it is essential to understand that living a significant lifestyle often looks different in God’s economy than our own. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 20:26-27, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.” In God’s economy, a lifestyle of significance involves sacrifice, service, and dedication to His kingdom rather than the kingdom of this world. So, may we strive to lead lives of true significance today.
Take a few minutes to identify the areas of impact that you have. These areas could be in your work, family, neighborhood, or other areas. Write these areas of impact down. After writing down these areas, take a few minutes to pray. Ask God to expand your territory in these areas so you can make Him known all around you. We have the potential to make a difference all around us. Let’s commit to taking steps to have an impact to make Him known to all of the people we interact with.
" The descendants of Judah:
Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur and Shobal.
2 Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.
3 These were the sons of Etam:
Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. Their sister was named Hazzelelponi. 4 Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah.
These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and father of Bethlehem.
5 Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.
7 The sons of Helah:
Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan, 8 and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Hazzobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
11 Kelub, Shuhah’s brother, was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These were the men of Rekah.
13 The sons of Kenaz:
Othniel and Seraiah.
The sons of Othniel:
Hathath and Meonothai. 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah.
Seraiah was the father of Joab,
the father of Ge Harashim. It was called this because its people were skilled workers.
15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh:
Iru, Elah and Naam.
The son of Elah:
Kenaz.
16 The sons of Jehallelel:
Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.
17 The sons of Ezrah:
Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives gave birth to Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18 (His wife from the tribe of Judah gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soko, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.
19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham:
the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.
20 The sons of Shimon:
Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon.
The descendants of Ishi:
Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth."
