Making a Difference

While I was reading my Bible text for this morning, I caught a few words of a short video my wife was watching in which a lawyer, feeling very superior to a teacher asks him, "So what do you make anyway?"  The teacher's passionate answer highlighting what happens in the kids he teaches summed up by saying, "What do I make?  I make a difference!  What about you?"

The real need in this world is people making a difference.  The question is "Do you?" and secondarily, if so, "What kind of difference?"  One could sit back and what the world "go to hell in a hand basket."  And that is bad.  But worse yet is one who sets fire to the basket, sending it on its way with dispatch.  Is is sad when people do nothing good but worse when they are always up to nothing good.

The world doesn't need more people who are only concerned with themselves, whether that is to insulate themselves from the problems of society or to inject their selfishness, causing more problems to society.  What the world needs is people who, filled with the Spirit of Christ, are thrusting themselves selflessly into the middle of the world's problems, seeking to make a positive difference.

The biblical warning and encouragement is clear: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:7-10).

Don't be deceived.  You can do or not do as you wish.  But there are consequences.  We will either be a part of the solution or a part of the problem.  We will either sow and reap life, or we will sow and reap destruction.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father except by me" (Jn 14:6).  

To follow Jesus is to avoid the path of least resistance, which leads to death and to join him on the narrow path, which leads to life (cf. Matt 7:13-14).  And, on this path, making a positive difference is intrical to the journey because, as disciples, we are called to "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2).

So, tell me, "Are you making a difference?  And, what would that be?"  On second thought, don't tell me - talk to God about the difference you are making.  Jus' Say'n.