Making a Difference

For many of us, life used to be all about me,myself and I. We could never get enough attention, praise, love or just enough of anything in general. The only difference we ever made was in making the other person's wallet next to us a little lighter, or in getting what we wanted out of any situation that we could manipulate. We were takers, never givers.

I look around at some of our folks involved at ATB and in Campus, and I see givers who seem to always be giving. They are making a difference. I see recovering people who are really recovering and also making a difference. These past few weeks, a woman whom we have helped financially sent a letter to the church along with a small repayment check....making a difference to those who had helped her. One of our men stopped and prayed with his co-workers before their job began, something he had never done before in any situation. One of our ladies is always making coffee, giving others rides and becoming quite a role model, again, both making a huge difference.

A couple in our class has a business in which they are always hiring and helping people who may be un-employable, giving them some way to earn their way back into society while bringing them to church and teaching them a different way. There are two couples who constantly provide food on Monday nights, cards, letters and anything else needed to fit the situation....what a major difference they make. And there are two elders who are heavily involved in ATB that will take on a challenge in a heartbeat because that is just the way they are...servants who really serve.

I could go on, but if anything compels me to be a better man, it is things like these that fuel the passion for ministry, and things like this that are a whole lot like Jesus was in the way he talked about and treated people. Not just any kind of people, but especially the angry ones, the downtrodden ones, and the outcasts who had no one else to care about them- especially the sinners and thugs who were broken down by the kindness of Him. It's funny, but with all the prisons and laws, the simplest way to help change dysfunctional behavior is to be like Jesus and watch others respond.

Today is my birthday, so I am making a public wish- let's make a difference in this world because He has made a difference in us. Instead of me, myself, and I, let's make it all about you. Do you have a need today, do you hurt, do you feel isolated and alone? Call us, we have some difference makers who will quickly help to make a difference in your life.

Don't hesitate because we may be busy helping someone else.....that's what he taught us to do!

Glenn