STORY LINES...

The following is from the IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE transcript...

EXTERIOR HOUSE –– NIGHT
MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT –– George stands a moment, stunned. Then he turns and runs out to the sidewalk, until his face fills the screen. His features are distorted by the emotional chaos within him. We see Clarence leaning on the mail box at the curb, holding his volume of "Tom Sawyer" in his hand.

CLARENCE
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

For those who don't know, I am a Youth Pastor at Hope Church in Dallas, GA. Our student worship celebration is currently in the middle of a series titled STORY LINES. The focus is about STORY LINES- God's, ours, and others. As I was preparing for the message this week where we will be looking at our own stories and how they might influence others, I thought about this line form the movie.

Interesting.....

We never cold possibly realize all the lives we impact as we go about our daily business. The question then becomes what impact are we making on all of the lives we are touching with our own? How will we be remembered? I love the song by Nicole Nordeman called LEGACY. Here are the lyrics....

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Probably my most favorite line in the song is "Did I point to You enough..."

One of the two people that have been influential in my thinking about God and Jesus and that all that jazz, is Rich Mullins. He authored a book called AN ARROW POINTING TO HEAVEN. His wanted his life to be just that~~~ an arrow pointing others to heaven. (more about Rich and the other guy later)

God, I need your help if I am going to influence even just one person for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me.

semper reformanda ragamuffin,

sinbad

Amen.