“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”
—John 1:16, NKJV
Did you know there is a national “Make a Difference Day?” It is celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of October and is co-sponsored by USA Today and Points of Light, a non-profit founded by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. A desire to make our life count lives inside of each of us, but we often think it is beyond our ability. The truth, however, is you don’t need to be a superhero to make a difference.
Making a Difference
It is tempting to look back over life and recall the failures and stupid things one has done. We all have failures and have done things we deeply regret. Recently, I read a Facebook challenge. “If given the choice, would you choose a million dollars or the ability to go back and redo your biggest mistakes?” I’d take the million dollars. My choice is not because I need the money. God has supplied all of my needs. My decision is based on the fact that I do not want to go back and relive the dark moments of my life. Truthfully, I doubt I could do things any better anyway.
When one gets to my age, you inevitably ask yourself, “Have I made a difference?” Yes, I want to be a “good and faithful” servant, one who invests the gifts that God has given me for profit in his Kingdom. So, how many lives do I have to bless to justify my time on this planet? Thinking about my dad provided the answer.
Amazing Life
My father had a truly amazing life. He grew up dirt poor on a farm in rural North Carolina. As a Native American, he had many stories of racial segregation in the south. He moved to the big city, worked a full career at Chrysler Corporation, raised and supported a family for which he was very proud, saw all of his grandkids go to college, owned property is three states, became a pastor, and pastored for 30 plus years, after retiring from Chrysler.
An amazing life, but all of these accomplishments did not answer my question about being a good and faithful servant. Then, God brought to my mind the people that my father had blessed. There are many examples, but I’m going to pick on my Mexican brother. Yes, I have an “adopted” Mexican brother.
My father was a blessing to Tony and Donna. You only need to ask them and they will give testament to this truth. My father helped them move out of a rough neighborhood to a safer one, closer to him. He provided the money to help them purchase their first home. Using his example, we have since started a non-profit to help others move from being renters to homeowners, just as he did for Tony and Donna.
Superhero Not Required
My dad helped Tony become a better husband and father. Tony learned, over time, that instead of arguing with Donna he needed to bless her life. Tony’s entire attitude about his marriage and life changed because of my father. There was the answer to my question: I only need to bless one person to justify my time on this planet?
Like everyone, I am busy. The pace of my life has increased. It is easy to push grace aside and let impatience become my first response to those around me. It is good, however, to remember that no one is good enough to earn God’s love; it is only because of his unmerited favor that we are blessed in this life and the one to come. Our proper response should be to extend the same grace to others.
We do not need to be a superhero to make a difference. We only need to bless one person at a time. Let’s start today.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious.