Impressions

If a total stranger asks your friends what they know about you, what would they say?  Would they laugh or roll their eyes?  Or would they smile or weep with joy?  If you had asked my friends in college, they'd tell you I was driven, funny, smart, and a joy to be around.  Fast forward a few years and my best friends would probably smile because of an inside joke.  They'd then tell you that I am smart, wise, a good listener, and one of a kind.  Skip ahead to today and my friends would tell you I am always at church or doing something in church.  I am a leader, an encourager, and wise beyond my years. 

Not one would tell you that I am perfect or a know it all.  That is because I am not.  I do not profess to have all the answers.  I seek the answers from God and use my experiences to encourage others.  Our first impressions are not always the most memorable impression.  Sometimes our last impression is the one people remember us for.  Your perception of yourself will dictate how others see you.

At the end of the day, being a child of God is all that matters to me.  My titles, accomplishments, degrees, and status' don't matter.  What matters is that I have Jesus.  I strive to live a Christ-like lifestyle.  Yes, I miss the mark and make mistakes, but I still love God and I know He loves me.

What impression are you leaving on your friends and this world?  I encourage you to read and meditate on Philippians 3 this week.