I am no good at small talk; I prefer to get straight to the interesting part of a conversation. Consequently, taxi journeys can be pretty agonising. 

Sometimes, I am tempted to get in and say, "Let's be honest, neither of us really want to talk about the weather, where I have been and what it was for. Nor do we want to discuss the relative merits of the York Station one-way system. Also, of course the traffic is busy, it's rush hour. Now, let's talk about something interesting or nothing at all."

Of course, I don't do this. But in an attempt to avoid the dull conversational band wagon, I usually try to ask questions that no one else will have asked that day. 

Last week, I was in a taxi driven by a man in his sixties. I jumped straight in and said I went to church St Michael le Belfrey and that I thought it was a shame that not many people in my generation were part of a great church. I asked him what he thought. He left a pause before saying that a lot of people from his generation were in the same boat. In fact, he said, "I came to university here 40 years ago and lots of my friends went to that church. There was a vicar there called David Watson and loads of students went to his church." 

It transpired that he was still in touch with some of those friends and they are still going to church. My taxi driver was visibly affected by this memory of his student years and the vibrant faith that he saw in his contemporaries. I invited him to our church and encouraged him that it was never too late. 

As I got out of the cab, I wondered how distinctive my life has to be in order be remembered in 40 years time by a taxi driver in his sixties. Can I challenge you to think now about the impact you are having on those around you. Will they remember you? What will they remember you for? In an instant culture where something is tweeted today, gone tomorrow, it is helpful to remember that how we act, how we live, what we say and who we encourage - has a very long lasting effect. 

Jesus lived like a man who knew this. He was focused on the long term, which is why he said this:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have ETERNAL  life." (John 3:16)