Sometimes I wonder if my life has made any difference. I think it’s normal and probably good that we all wonder about whether we make any difference in the world, at least once in a while. Wondering about whether we make a difference in life or not means we are thinking about making a difference, looking back over our lives, remembering how important it is to try and make a difference and recommitting ourselves to making a difference in the future.
We all make a difference, whether we know it or not. The question isn’t really whether we make a difference or not but how we make a difference. Do we make a positive or negative difference in the lives of others? Do we try and support people as much as we can? Do we stand up for what we believe and speak to it without denigrating others who may have different beliefs? Do we reach out a hand to help others up when they are down? Do we share our blessings with others, especially those who have less than we do? Do we try to bring joy and happiness to those around us? Are we focused on others or are we just all about ourselves? Do we give more back to the world than we take out of it? These and dozens of other ways are the ways we can and do make a difference in the world.
Every once in a while I get a reminder of something I did or something I stood for or what someone remembers about me which reinforces that I have made a difference and that difference meant something, often to someone I may not even have known what I did or said made a difference to someone else but apparently it did. It feels good to be reminded we’ve made a difference, doesn’t it?
As I live out today and think about tomorrow my hope is to continue making a difference. I want to continue to play a positive role in the lives of others, to stand up for what is good and pure and help others find their place in the big picture too. I want to make a difference by being a positive voice in the world. I’m sure you feel the same way about yourself. I think we all do. I hope we all do.
You make a difference. You have made a difference in my life. You have touched me and many others in ways you aren’t even aware of. We often say to someone who has served in the military, “Thank you for your service”. That’s a nice thing to say. I want to add a new saying we can all say to others. “Thank you for making a difference in my life”! Let’s all continue to search for and practice making a difference, in good ways in each other’s lives, in the life of the church and in being more aware of and thankful for the difference others make in our lives.
That’s my prayer; may we continue making a difference, a good difference in each other’s lives.
I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday morning!
Dr. Bob Chance