Every Decision You Make Affects Others

The other night, I attended a football game that my son was coaching. The players were on the sideline, along with the coaches, waterboys, ballboys, and a few other members of the team. The ones who weren’t in uniforms were in a blue shirt that had a saying on it. “Every decision I make affects the entire team.”

The shirts were made to remind the players that their decisions had ripple effects that could impact others besides themselves. A couple of key players found this out when they got in trouble and got a two-game suspension. Their absence might have cost the team a win.

I was thinking about the shirts yesterday and how all of us could use a shirt like this. Rarely do our decisions only affect us. We all know that drinking and driving can have devasting results for anyone driving on the road we meet. That one decision is one that ripples through the family of everyone involved.

Bad decisions aren’t the only ones that can ripple through families. For some reason, we always seem to focus on the bad things in life. Death, destruction, and divorce can be the result of bad decisions, but what about “good” decisions?

Have you ever read about someone saying they are the first person in their family to graduate college? That decision can encourage others that they, too, can graduate college and change the path of their lives.

I remember going to church every week, and my grandmother was my Bible School teacher. She sang hymns at the top of her lungs, and everyone in the building heard her singing about the Lord. One Wednesday night, the person who was supposed to lead the singing was out, and nobody would step up to do it. Granny walked up to the front and proceeded to lead the singing.

As a child, her gesture made a big impression on me. She showed me that she was willing to step up, even if others wouldn’t. She showed that it meant more to her to worship the Lord than to stay in her comfort zone.

Matthew 5:16

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many people would describe my job as an “Influencer.” However, I never refer to myself like that because I believe we are all influencers. We all influence our families, neighbors, friends, and everyone we meet. You never know who is watching and what impact you are having on them.

I think we should all be wearing shirts that say, “Every decision I make affects everyone I meet.” Let’s decide today to let our light shine for Jesus, and pray that those we meet are influenced to come to the Lord.

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!