By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

The day after the Cheetahs won the Currie Cup in Bloemfontein, their coach Franco Smith gave a brief but powerful testimony to the Baptist congregation in Bloemfontein. He said something that made me think. In his career as a coach,there were many successes – cups won, awardsreceived, sold-out stadiums. Still, he wondered: Is this success? Or is success as a coach when your players walk away better people - better husbandsfor their wives and better fathers for their children? This shows that you had a positive impact as lives were affected.

We each have to ask ourselves that question: What impact do we have on the people around us? Are they better off because we were in each other's lives?

In John 15:12, Jesus says: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

The type of profession we practice is simply the platform God gives us to make an impact for Him. Whether you are a doctor, a cleaner, a car mechanic, an administration clerk, a secretary, a dentist or a stay-at-home mom, this is simply where God has positioned you to make a difference for Him and to influence people in your life.

May we stop pursuing success and focus instead on the people around us. May we continue to demonstrate love and trust that God will make the difference through His Holy Spirit. God bless.

Father God, thank you for being Almighty and in control. Please help me to see the opportunities where I can be good to the people around me so that their lives can be affected for the better. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Photo: See photo of Franco Smith and the Cheetahs at www.benescke.co.za or on Stories van Hoop on Facebook.

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