Studio Outreach | Pink Voice | Making a Difference
Jan Greenwood
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to make a difference? Well, let me settle it for you … you do! From the moment of your birth, you’ve been making a difference in all kinds of ways. From the moment of your second birth—salvation—you’ve been equipped with a supernatural compassion and power that can see and meet needs of all kinds—big or small. You possess the great capacity to contribute to the good of others and live a life that matters.
Here are few helpful hints to get started!
Just begin.
No money? No time? No direction? No worries! Just step out and do something out of simple kindness. Open the door for a mom with kids. Smile at a stranger in the grocery line. Let someone merge into traffic ahead of you. Small contributions add up and make big impacts. Ordinary people make extraordinary differences. Just think about it … it doesn’t cost us a thing to praise another, pray for another or prefer another.
Be ready.
Will you be ready? In 1 Peter 3:15, we’re encouraged to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks about the reason for our hope. And 2 Timothy 2:4 instructs us to be ready—in and out of season. Commit to setting aside some time, money or other resources for a particular person or cause that matters to you. Invest in them through prayer. Be informed. Observe. Listen. Prepare yourself in every way. Be poised for action.
Give the greatest gift.
Why do you want to make a difference? Obligation or guilt will only take you a short distance and will leave the taste of bitterness in the mouth of those you are trying to help. So instead, serve others out of love—there is no gift more powerful! Love gives you a supernatural strength and an enduring impact. Out of it flows all the fruits of the Spirit. If you can simply respond to people and needs with an attitude of love, whatever you put your hands to will prosper. And remember to always do it all as unto the Lord.
Empower others.
If you want to make a bigger impact or a more lasting change, then empower others. Jesus was the master of this. He invited His disciples and followers to “follow Me.” He taught them and gave them opportunities to practice serving others while walking with Him. Don’t just do for others; try to do with others! The old adage applies: “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll feed himself for a lifetime.” If you can help it, don’t do anything by yourself! Invite a friend, your daughter, the girls from the gym—whomever might share in your interest. And just as a reminder, there is nothing more empowering than knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior!
