Making Your Mark On the World

“If I had only followed my dream…” “If I could win the lottery things would be a lot different.” “If things had of worked out differently where would I be now?” Sound familiar? Does it seem that your life has not made the mark on this world that you would have wanted? Do you find yourself watching game shows or reality TV and thinking “If only I could spin that ‘Wheel of Fortune’ just a few times.” For instance, one game show asks, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Is it a rhetorical question? And who wouldn’t want to be an “American Idol”?

Alexander the Great said, “I would rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity” ? The truth of the matter is this, every person who ever walks the face of this earth has or will make their mark upon the world. While it is certainly true that life is like a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away (James 4:17), you should not overlook the fact that it does appear. Your life does not go unnoticed by your relatives, friends and those neighbors you help along the way. Most importantly it does not go unnoticed by God your heavenly Father. Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

The works of your life are being written down in a book. Revelation 20:12 teaches that when the judgment day arrives and we all stand before Jesus, the books will be opened and we will be judged according to the works that are written in those books. John wrote these words from Jesus, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28 29). God takes notice of the mark you are leaving.

Consider some who have left a bad mark upon the world. Adam & Eve are remembered for choosing sin over life (Genesis 3). Balaam sold out the people of God to an enemy (Numbers 22). Jeroboam is remembered for leading the people of Israel to sin against God (2 Kings 10:31). Jezebel is renowned for her zeal for idolatry and her hatred toward God’s holy prophets (1 Kings 18:4). And who can forget the mark that Judas made upon the world by his betrayal of the Son of God with a kiss (Luke 22:48). Disobedience to God always leaves its mark on the world. In Luke 17:32 Jesus urged the people to “Remember Lot’s wife” who had left her mark by disobeying God when she turned to look back at the city of Sodom.

Righteousness also leaves its mark. Abel pleased God with his sacrifice. Though he was not rich as we count riches, his righteousness would not be forgotten by God (Hebrews 11:4). Abraham was a wealthy man. But he put God first in all his life and in so doing was called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). What a mark. Andrew left a mark on the world by going to find his brother, Peter and brought him to meet the Messiah (John 1:40-42). What a mark this simple act made upon the world. Mary made her mark upon the world by doing what she could when she poured the ointment upon the head of Jesus to prepare Him for His burial (Matthew 26:7-13). It is a mark that will never be forgotten.

The greatest mark ever left upon this world was made by Jesus Christ. The cross is recognized around the world as a symbol of the just suffering for the unjust; the righteous giving His life as a ransom for the unrighteous. God Himself gave testimony that he was well pleased with Jesus (Matthew 17:5). Yet Jesus was not a rich man. He did not desire fame. He was not self absorbed. And he certainly would not have appeared on American Idol. His “Wheel of Fortune” was realized in faithful obedience to the will of His heavenly Father (John 6:38). And it is His Father who has bestowed upon Him eternal glory and majesty (John 17:5; 1 Timothy 6:15).

Jesus put it into perspective when He told the disciples, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). By faithful obedience to God in heaven you will not only make your mark on this world, you will also make your mark in heaven where it will count for all eternity. What kind of mark are you making?

Steve Vice