We continue to look at the importance of impact and influence for a spiritual leader and Christian man. As spiritual leaders, a man must be more concerned about making an impact than an impression.  During my work career and many other relationships, I have met so many men and leaders who tried to be impressive due to their position, money, degrees, title, power, achievements, personality or who they knew and what they could do. I have worked in the academic world where so-called intellectuals, successful businessmen and politicians had the main focus of trying to impress people and never gave a thought to really making an impact. I had to remove people with impressive credentials from high ranking leadership positions because they simply could not lead people and make an impact for the good of the team.

Is there a difference between impact and impression? Trying to make an impression is selfish, superficial, fake, insecure, lacking substance, pseudo-leadership, plastic and ego building. Ego is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of selfishness. An impact means to make a difference, to have substance, to be lasting and permanent, life changing for others and the team, true leadership and eternal for the Christian leader. It can change the course of a family and leave a legacy, which is more important than leaving an inheritance. An inheritance can be spent and wasted, but a legacy is remembered for its impact. I may never see my great grandkids and they may never meet me. But, they should know who I was in the family because of a Christian legacy which can never be lost.

Have you ever thought about the life of Jesus and His leadership? He never tried to impress people, but His spiritual impact is alive even today and will be forever. He is our role model and example and we should commit to impact the lives of those whom He has given us to lead and interact every day we live. How are you doing?