Difference

There it is!  It’s been hiding all along, but I’ve been afraid to admit it out loud.  Can I shout it out now?  “I want to make a difference.” 

Think about your own life right now.  I know I am.  How often are we just going through the motions, only to start the next day as before.  We say to ourselves, “I’ll start that soon.”  Or maybe you hope tomorrow will be better, but you take no positive steps to bring that hope alive.

I confess, lately, there are times that I delay in writing From God’s Lips, leaving it to the last day (like right now).  It’s something I don’t understand, since I’m usually a planner.  You know, be prepared – don’t hand your paper in late – show up on time or even early.  It’s just my nature.  So why do I leave God’s word until the last moments? Maybe it’s believing or questioning whether I’m making a difference in others’ lives.  Are you and I fulfilling the promises we made to follow Jesus?

Isn’t that what you want too – to make even the smallest difference in someone’s life for the good?  Unfortunately, most times we don’t know the effect we have on even the briefest moments or encounters. It surprises even me that, as I sit here typing words into my phone app, tears appear, opening my eyes to an important mission that God has given me of reaching out to make that difference.  So why do I delay then, knowing Jesus is extending this gift to me? 

And maybe instead of focusing the why on myself, my ultimate gift and purpose is to extend that question to you each week.  What are you delaying or excusing yourself from that may change another person’s day or a practice that we’ve pushed aside that would grow our relationship with God.  So, let’s stop questioning our desires to make a difference to those around us, however large or small.  Don’t doubt that Jesus is speaking directly to our hearts.  What will you start doing today to make a difference?  I know what Jesus is saying. “Go forth my child and make a difference.  Do not delay.”  I pray that I did that today for you.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  1 Peter 4:10