Many of us grow up with a desire to make a positive difference in our world. We follow our passions, or walk in God’s Spirit, and do what we can to influence the world to survive more abundantly. We want to touch lives and make them better for knowing us. We often have a life-changing experience, or a divine encounter orchestrated by God that helps to formulate these passions.
Smiling at strangers, actively listening to the concerns of people we encounter along life’s way, helping someone who is struggling with too many packages, holding open a door for the person behind us, etc. are small ways that we can make a difference. However, we often desire to do more and make a greater influence in our world.
As an older teen, I read the book by Ann Kiemel (Anderson), “I’m Out to Change My World.” This life-changing autobiography inspired me. I admired her spunk, energy, drive, and passion as she walked in God’s Spirit and made a difference in all the lives around her. Her words motivated me to follow her example.
The first step in changing our world is to pay attention to the people around us, to look into their eyes – the windows of our soul, and to discern their plea for help or understanding. The second step is to connect to the compassion of our Savior who abides within us and to show that benevolence to the one God highlights for us to influence.
Some may be offended that we approached them, but most are genuinely glad that we cared enough to acknowledge their existence. This does not depend on an exorbitant amount of time out of our busy schedule, but on the sincerity that we exhibit as we speak to them.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for caring about the whole world so much that You became our Emmanuel through Jesus Christ and suffered and died to pay our sin debt (John 3:16-18). Inspire us to help those around us who need a shoulder to cry on, a prayer partner, someone to help them after a surgery or illness, or even just provide a smile or a hug or a simple, “Hello.” Help us to be open to the leading of Your Spirit each moment of every day.
We want to share Your love and compassion with the world around us, to bloom where You plant us, to share one another’s burdens, and to bring joy to someone’s heart. We desire to make a difference in our world as You lead and guide us each moment of our day, in the same way that You make a difference in our life as our Savior and Creator and Caregiver. We love and praise You more each day for who You are and what You provide for each of us.
Thoughts for the Day:
25 ideas on how to Make a Difference:
1. Buy two of something you need and give one to someone else in need.
2. Grow you own veggies and share them with a neighbor, friend, or stranger.
3. Buy school supplies and backpacks for students each year.
4. Adopt unclaimed pets when you want a furry friend.
5. Forgive someone who perpetrated an unforgiveable act on you or your family member.
6. Hug people who say they would like one.
7. Show gratitude for kindnesses done for you.
8. Send a card or make a phone call to someone you haven’t seen in a while.
9. Volunteer at a pregnancy resource center or suicide hotline.
10. Babysit for friends or family who need a break to relax or to date their mate.
11. Plant trees on Arbor Day with a group of friends.
12. Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic; start a compost for food scraps.
13. Bake goodies for shut-ins or co-workers.
14. Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line.
15. Donate used but good technology to a person, school, or charity.
16. Adopt a highway as a family and keep it trash free.
17. Donate your time to teach children or adults how to play the instrument in which you are proficient.
18. Organize a group of church members to visit nursing homes.
19. Send monthly donations to missionaries that you know.
20. Compliment someone’s outfit, hairdo, or behavior.
21. Take on one of your spouse’s regular chores to relieve their workload.
22. Donate unused clothing and household items to a church thrift store or to someone who lost theirs in a fire or natural disaster.
23. Tutor children in your area of expertise.
24. Show compassion on people – especially children, who are having a hard day.
25. Donate your long hair for wigs for cancer patients. (Locks of Love: https://locksoflove.org › get-involved ).
