How to Make a Difference

Last week I presented the challenge "Be the man." In essence, rather than looking around at what is wrong with modern Christianity and waiting for someone else to make a difference, each of us should accept that challenge. We should determine to be the one who will influence others.

This is a noble and godly desire, (assuming the motives are pure). Practically speaking, however, it is much easier to aspire to such a role than to achieve it in reality. After committing to make a difference in the lives of others, the logical question to follow is "How do I do that?" Since the answer to that question could fill many books, my intent here is to give a only a brief foundation and basic premise to guide the pursuit of "difference-making".

When we think of influencing others, we most often consider public roles or positions of leadership. Those seem to be the most effective and efficient ways to impact large numbers of people. Whether or not God desires us to be in such a role should certainly be part of our prayerful consideration. We must examine whether God is calling us to a full-time ministry, such as the pastorate, the mission field, Christian education, counseling, or some other career position.

While not full-time positions, God also desires many people to serve Him in leadership roles within the local church. Opportunities for service include teaching Sunday school, leading a Bible study, or directing children's church. Churches always need workers for ministries such as hospital visitation, nursing home ministry, vacation Bible school, and outreach programs. There are opportunities to mentor new Christians or young people in the church. We must seek to serve God in these areas as He directs.

Many people will protest that God hasn't called them either to full-time ministry or to an official ministry within the church. While I believe God wants all Christians to serve Him within the church, I also realize there are Christians who will faithfully serve God without ever being in an official full-time ministry or leadership position. (That cannot, however, be an excuse for everyone to assume himself to be one of that group.)

There is a greater point of importance when we consider making a difference in the lives of others. Regardless of whether someone is in a full-time ministry, a specific role of leadership in the church, or the position of an "ordinary" church member, there is a characteristic that must exist if a Christian is to influence others. A Christian who makes a difference is one who has a vibrant relationship with God and who communicates the vitality of that relationship to those around him.

Too many of our church members grew up seeing Christianity as a set of rules to be followed. It was a list of what to do and what not to do (and when, where, and how). There was even a more narrow list used to identify "good" Christians as opposed to worldly or compromising Christians. I believe much of this mentality was well-intentioned, promoted by people who had left dead denominations and wanted to clearly separate from the apostasy. An unfortunate result has been the mass exodus of young people from our churches.

We cannot, therefore, influence others for good merely by presenting them with a list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. We must show them that there is something deeper and more meaningful than outward actions and appearances. The standards themselves may not be wrong, but they must be motivated by a heart that thrives in a relationship with God. People will be little influenced by a man who academically adheres to a set of rules, but people will be greatly influenced by a Christian who passionately seeks to please the God with whom he has a meaningful, personal relationship.

How is this vibrant relationship communicated to others? First, through our service to God. While service in itself is not a guarantee of a vibrant relationship with God, such a relationship will lead to visible service. Because we love God, we want to do things for Him, and that love will manifest itself in acts of service for Him. When we love God, we will help in the nursery, serve as a greeter, work in the flowerbeds, make a meal, set up chairs, teach a class, head up a committee, and sing in the choir. The list will vary for each person, but our willing service indicates a heart that loves God. Meanwhile, many of these acts of service provide opportunities for directly influencing others in addition to the testimony provided by the service itself.

Second, through our love for others. The more we love God and the more we grow in our relationship with Him, the more we will look like Him. One important part of God's character that is displayed through us is His love for others. Serving others without love for them does not facilitate our being able to influence them. Service performed with love, however, is a powerful factor in making a difference in the lives of others. Love has influence even when expertise or innate ability is lacking. There is little, if anything, that has the power to break down walls than a consistent display of love, especially when the object is not particularly loveable. Relationships built through love provide the channel for influence.

Third, through our demeanor. To a certain extent, we can identify vibrant Christians simply by looking at them. Their sweet walk with God is evidenced by joy and peace. It's much like seeing newlyweds or watching a couple in love. They are so excited by their relationship with each other that their joy breaks forth on their faces. Instead of unattractive lines of anger, bitterness, and rebellion, a vibrant Christian will display the attractive softness of submissive peace and trustful joy. These expressions will be noticeable as he sings, prays, listens to the sermon, and interacts with others.

Fourth, through sharing. This is the area that I believe is the greatest barrier to our influence. Others cannot know about the vibrant relationship with God that drives us if we do not allow it to shine through and if we do not give it an outlet for expression. We must be open about our spiritual life. We need to pray with others, discuss spiritual topics, and talk about what God is doing in our lives. We need to share testimonies, recount spiritual victories, and talk about answers to prayer. Many Christians remain largely unaware that a deeper relationship with God is possible because no one has shown them what the journey toward that relationship looks like.

Do we desire to encourage and inspire others to pursue a deeper relationship with God? We cannot do that by focusing on the externals. Instead, we must be willing to share and demonstrate the internals that produce what is seen on the outside. We must let others know the difference that a vibrant relationship with God can make.

"Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul." Psalm 66:16 (NASB)

Feedback: Nye vs. Ham

Last night I joined many others in watching the debate between creationist Ken Ham and Bill Nye the Science Guy. (An archived video is available, I think for a limited time, at http://debatelive.org/.)

Rather than evaluating the entire debate, I want to focus on two words that seemed to sum up Bill Nye's response to creation, God, and the Bible in general. The first word is uneasy. Nye used that word or a synonym multiple times to describe how a foundation based on the Bible made him feel. He was uneasy when faced with an explanation that did not match what his science told him. In essence, the issue is faith. The Bible records truths and past events that humans cannot see with their eyes as well as concepts that are too big for mortals to comprehend. Without faith to take God at His word, uneasiness is not a surprising response.

The second word is unreasonable. Nye repeatedly used the positive counterpart, reasonable, to refer to himself. As a reasonable man, he could not accept things like an intelligent designer, a world-wide flood, or a boat large enough to hold so many animals. Again, it is a matter of faith. The Bible does include some pretty incredible history, and it records events that are outside the realm of observable experience. Without faith to take God at His word, perceived unreasonableness is not surprising either.

For those who have faith in God and His Word, however, the responses can and should be much different. Nye spoke about the Bible as a book written thousands of years ago, and he considered its translation into English to add to its unreliability. Christians know that God wrote the Bible and has preserved its truth into the modern day.

It was also interesting that Nye continually referred to creation as Ken Ham's theory. The support for creation is much deeper than even a great scientist such as Ham. It originates with God Himself. This Creator God is reliable, and, as a result, the Bible is also reliable. In the question-and-answer time, it was enlightening to see the differing responses between Nye and Ham. When faced with difficult questions, Nye repeatedly said he did not know the answers. Ham, on the other hand, referred to a Book that had those answers. The ancient book that Nye rejected as making him uneasy and being unreasonable had the answers that Nye lacked.

A basis of faith in God enables a Christian to be peaceful rather than uneasy. A Christian can rest at peace even when he does not know all of the answers. When facing the unknowns of life and even the question of what comes after life, a Christian has peace that cannot be explained. That peace comes from knowing the reliable God who knows everything.

A basis of faith in God makes His truth reasonable. When a believer understands how incredible God is, it is not so hard to believe the "unreasonable" stories of the Bible. In considering the amazing creation that God has made, it is completely reasonable to trust such a powerful and wise Creator.

Faith is critical to the Christian life. Faith is necessary at salvation, but it is also necessary for everyday life. Without it, a Christian is uneasy, anxious, and confused. Without faith, a Christian struggles with what seems unfair and doesn't make sense. With faith, however, a Christian can rest with confidence in a reasonable God in every situation. God is wise enough and powerful enough to be trusted.

 

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." I Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)

Be the Man

It isn't hard to find dissatisfaction in our churches, Christian schools and colleges, or other Christian environments. Besides the fact that all of them are made up of other imperfect people in addition to ourselves, there are some disturbing and disheartening trends. How much of the following sounds familiar?

Church setting: The Sunday evening attendance is one-fourth that of the Sunday morning attendance. The Wednesday evening prayer service has been discontinued. There aren't enough available workers to have a vacation Bible school. There aren't enough Sunday school teachers. Fewer missionaries are supported due to decreased giving. People show up dressed in ways that would have been shocking twenty years ago.

School/college setting: The composition of our student body makes us look like a reform school. The majority of our students are from broken homes. Some students are experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Every year we have at least one teenage pregnancy. Some of the teachers/professors attend church sporadically; their standards, activities, and lifestyle are little different than that of the students they are trying to influence. There are fewer and fewer good options for conservative families. The graduates no longer attend church or have anything to do with God.

General Christianity: I was twenty years old before I was exposed to someone I considered a vibrant Christian. When I was going through a tough time, I couldn't find anyone to counsel me. No one ever showed me how to study the Bible. I grew up thinking Christianity was a set of rules to be followed. I attended a Christian retreat that looked little different from a secular party or event. A lot of Christians I know are divorced and remarried; they have tattoos, go to bars, and dress immodestly.

The list of examples could continue. Without doubt, there are issues for concern. We could easily become discouraged. As we look around at our own spheres, many of us could conclude, "I'm in a good church/school/environment. If mine looks this bad, is there any hope for broader Christianity?" Doesn't it seem that in another generation, Christianity that is effective at impacting the world around it will be dead?

These questions leave us looking around for a leader. Who will be different? Who will make a difference? Who will be the one to influence and lead others toward better paths? Who will provide the godly example, give the godly advice, and demonstrate a Christ-honoring lifestyle? Who will demonstrate the possibility and reality of a personal, passionate, and dedicated relationship with God?

I believe the answer is found in this challenge: Stop looking around for someone else to be the leader. Step up and decide that you will make a difference. Determine by God's grace and with His help that you will be a positive factor in the lives of others. Be the one who cares. Be willing to love. Don't be ashamed to share your walk with God. Let your passion for God shine through. Serve in the church. Set the example. Mentor. Mold. Influence.

You can't do these things if you are not willing to be different. I have often heard the quotation, "You have to be different before you can make a difference." Please understand an important premise behind making a difference. The focus cannot be on how "bad" others are. Instead the focus must be on the quality of our own relationship with God. Do we love Him? Are we growing? Are we willing to yield to Him when He reveals an area of struggle or rebellion? Will we serve Him selflessly?

If we are to effectively serve God and influence others, we cannot look at others in our Christian setting merely to click off a list of their problems: single mom, divorced, has tattoos, wears holey jeans to church, swears, smokes, attends R-rated movies. We will notice these things, but they are not cause for rejecting those people. A proper approach remembers that Christians are at different places in their Christian journeys. It also remembers that God is patient and forgiving.

Others have room for growth just as we have room for growth. The specific areas of needed growth may be different, but the underlying concept is the same: we must learn what is pleasing to God and then submit to doing that. Due to background, lack of training, or limited time since salvation, those with more visible challenges may simply be lacking in the learning aspect. It is not my intent to discount those people as unable to make a difference. Quite the opposite. As they learn and grow and submit, they also can become effective as positive influences. God's grace is able to do that with any Christian, regardless of his past.

As you seek to impact others, don't be discouraged when some Christians are not interested in being influenced.  Some will take only limited steps of growth or will require a long time before the change is noticeable. Some will seem to change, but the change will be temporary. It may seem that more Christians are headed in the wrong direction than in the right direction. Are we fighting a losing battle in terms of Christian influence within our cultures? I don't know, but we must keep fighting the battle. To give up is the pathway to sure defeat. Instead of noticing and bemoaning the dearth of Christian leaders and positive influences, volunteer to be one. Seek God's help in contributing to positive change in your Christian environment. Be the man (or woman).

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one." Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB)

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" Isaiah 6:8 (NASB)

When God Can't Be Trusted

Where do we draw the line? When have we been tested too much? At what point does life become so desperate that we can no longer trust God? What has to happen before we give up, believing God has let us down?

"Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher." Isaiah 30:20 (all verses NASB)

“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident." Psalm 27:3

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me." Psalm 138:7

"When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand." Psalm 37:24

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I Peter 1:6-7

"For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness." Lamentations 3:32

“For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal.” Job 5:18

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." II Corinthians 4:16

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” Job 13:15

"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.” Psalm 46:2-3

"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the LORD, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.'" Isaiah 1:18

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

I guess that pretty much covers it.