So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

Colossians 3:1-4, from The Message

When I was younger (like, in my 20's and 30's - man, I have a lot of "younger" behind me now), I worried a great deal about impact and legacy.  How can I make sure I'm remembered?  How can I make sure I've made a difference?  These are the kinds of things that absorbed liberal arts college guys back in the early 90's.  We weren't worried about finding jobs; we were worried about changing the world.  So worried was I about doing important things, that I didn't look up enough to see the important things going on around me.

Having lots of kids changed that - or, rather - it forced a choice.  If I was going to be distracted by things related to importance, then I would miss all the important stuff going on around me.  Furthermore, and most importantly, God never asked me to "be important" or make an impact; these weren't His ideas, they were mine.  So absorbed was I with my own thoughts, my own plans, that I looked up one day and realized all that I had been missing.  I didn't have to be important; I was already in the middle of important things - the most important of all.  I learned to love what was around me, where I was, who I was with, and to be a Christ-follower there and then, here and now.  

In the words of another prophet: "What's love got to do with the price of beer?"  Everything.  For the price I set my beer at is connected to what I really care about - what I think my product is worth is connected to my desire to be a Godly husband and father and servant of Christ where I am and with the people right in front of me.  I might never be noticed - in fact, I'm pretty sure won't be - but what I have devoted my life to is far more important than that world's recognition - the things over which Christ presides.  I might never get paid what someone else charges for that beer, and by their calculations, I'm a fool.  I don't care.  I've gotten plenty of interest out of the investments I've chosen to make.  

Have a great day.  Tomorrow, you fly!