On my shelf I have the 1999 Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. Looking up the meaning of the word impact, I found ten definitions. The first three give a general sense for all 10 refinements of meaning.
1. the striking of one thing against another; collision.
2. influence; effect
3. a forcible impinging
In my background, having a ministry of impact, is considered a good thing. Yet, I consider the word as devoid of any meanings of love. One of the identifiers of those who live in the life of Christ, is love. Some pray that they would have a life or ministry of impact. Wouldn’t it be better to pray for a life of Christ’s love, a Trinitarian love: loving God and loving others.
Impact or love? They are not synonymous in their meanings.
Something to consider.
Allen
Very interesting comparison, Allen. I would say that the closer we get to truly loving others with the Agape version, there WILL be an influence or effect (impact) as a matter of course. But putting impact first, is putting the cart before the horse. It’s possible to have some kind of influence without truly loving. But it’s impossible to truly love without having an influence. So I agree with your conclusion: better to pray for a life of Christ’s love, and impact will follow, but not necessarily the reverse.
By: m. bannert on May 3, 2009
at 12:41 am