You Make a Difference
You may think you don’t have what it takes to make a difference in the world, but you do. Even if you are not necessarily the one out front, perhaps you have swayed someone’s decision that has made a difference in their life and perhaps in the lives of others. The truth is there’s something inside of you to contribute and it will make a difference in some unique way. The magnitude of your contribution is not what’s important. It’s your heart and desire to do something that matters.
Don’t take for granted those assignments that may seem irrelevant or insignificant. You will never know the difference you make in this world. The other day I was reading ancient history about Theodora, the Empress of Byzantium. She married Justinian who ruled from c. 527-563, but it was Theodora, a former actress, who saw to it that important legislation was passed and demonstrated the initiative to save her husband’s rule by resisting a revolt in 532. Justinian was ready to flee when Theodora persuaded him to defend the capital. In the end he won power for thirty more years during which time Theodora’s name appeared in almost all important laws, including prohibitions against white-slavery and the altering of divorce laws to make them more humane to women. When it came to religion, she strongly supported expressions of the Christian faith upholding the divinity of Christ. After her death in 548, her husband passed practically no important legislation. She was clearly powerful and influential in Justinian’s life.
You also have what it takes to make a difference in your community, career, church, city or nation, whether leading from the front or the back. You simply need to use what you already possess.
What Do You Have In Your Hand?
This question was a paradigm change for me: “What do you have in your hand?” Once upon a time I looked at what was in other people’s hands, instead of what was in my own. Often I compared myself to others and felt I didn’t have what it took to make a difference. In the book of Exodus, Moses was belly-aching about his short comings when God asked him the very same question. Moses was holding a rod. Then God tells Moses to throw down the rod, and whoa! Under God’s power the rod was transformed in unique ways to do supernatural things! I believe we can use this as a metaphor for us today.
When you yield what you have in your hand to God, be it your talent, gift, ideas, time and resources, He will uniquely transform it in ways you would never have imagined. What do you have right now? A kind word? An encouraging heart? An idea of a better way to do a thing? How many times have you shared your advice with someone whose outcome was better because of it?
You Are Not Ordinary
Looking at yourself as ordinary in comparison to someone else is like saying to an extraordinary God He made a mistake when he created you. I don’t believe God created some people more talented or gifted than others. If He did He would be a respecter of persons. He just gave us different abilities to serve specific purposes. The Bible says He is not a respecter of persons. You don’t have to change the world in a day. But you do have to begin to change how you see yourself in the world. Have you ever donated an ordinary dollar or two to a cause, a charity or a ministry? Every person who has benefited in some way from your support did so because you were there to make a difference. Have you ever encouraged a child to study harder in order to make better grades and later that child is pursing his/her dream? Your “ordinary” word of advice has now made an extraordinary difference in someone’s life.
Do What Matters
Do what matters, not what’s convenient. Challenge yourself to be effective in whatever is on your heart to do. It doesn’t matter if you don’t do everything with perfection. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t as good at some things as someone else. Focus on the areas God has given you the ability to thrive in. I guarantee that you are amazing at something. Do it! And that something is what matters and will make all the difference in the world.
Bring an end today to critical thinking and instead, think about bringing to the world what God has given you. If you can bake a mouth-watering cake or pie, and all your family and friends rave about, then you already make a difference. If you can bring someone a glass of cool water, you make a difference.
Selah.
Own it.
If this article speaks to you, respond with a comment below or email me at dmurphy@eewmagazine.com
1 Comment
Reader Comments (1)
Dr. Deana,
Right on point as usual. I have been enjoying reading your articles for over a year now. God always leads me to the right one when I need a heads up on my life. He knows that I am a visual person and learn by sight which explains my love for reading all things that concern His words. Thank you for my aha moment for today.
Stay Blessed!!