Have you ever said the words, “what difference does it make?”
That question has one purpose: to point out that the “it” is insignificant and unimportant.
It doesn’t matter.
It has no value.
It serves no important purpose.
It makes no difference.
I’ve been challenged by a test many times in my life, to increase the value of the things I choose to devote my time to. For instance, I write an email to our list every Sunday morning – if it’s not valuable to someone, it’s not worth the time to type.
If I stopped writing these emails, would anyone miss them?
If the answer is no, it doesn’t mean I should quit writing them. It means I should work to add more value so that they would be missed if they ceased to be sent.
Now, let me ask you this question: What difference do you make?
If you just disappeared tomorrow, would anyone miss you?
Of course, your family would. I’m not talking about that. I mean, would your impact on the world be missed?
Would your impact on the Kingdom of God be missed?
I’ll be honest, over the years I’ve lived for God, I’ve seen people come and go. Some leave, and it’s like they never were there to begin with. Others leave, and there’s a huge hole where they used to be.
Which one are you?
If you feel like you could disappear without a trace, it doesn’t mean you should give up. It means you should be looking for ways to increase your value in the kingdom of God.
If you feel unimportant in the Kingdom of God, don’t accept that label. Jesus thought you were worth dying for, so that valuation didn’t come from him. And He didn’t die for you to sit around and wait for death.
He died for you so you would set the world on fire for Him.
Are you making a difference?
If your answer was no, that doesn’t mean you can’t.
Not knowing how is not the same as not being able.
Every born again believer has a built-in capacity to feel the heartbeat of God. He died so that every person on this planet could live. But as the world plummets toward hell, believers everywhere are sitting on church pews feeling like they are insignificant.
If you are insignificant right now, it doesn’t mean you should be. Rather than allowing the feeling of insignificance chain you into passivity, let it be the alarm bell that calls you into action.
You can make a difference.
If you don’t know how to start, that’s okay. Just don’t take that as the answer.
Seek the answer of how.
Every single person that walks the face of this earth in their right mind has a gift. This gift is yours, and is as unique to you as your facial features and personality.
There are others that might have similar gifts, but no one has your exact gift. You were fearfully and wonderfully made with that gift.
If you do nothing with it, humans may never notice. When asked what difference you make, they might say “not much.” If you do nothing, you may be able to disappear without a trace as the Kingdom of God marches on without you.
But, do you know who notices those of great potential who do nothing?
God does.
He made you and called you and placed you strategically into His story. He has the purpose lined out, and when you fulfill God’s purpose, it creates shockwaves through this space rock we call earth.
Want to matter?
Want to make a difference?
Then, do something.
Don’t overthink it. Just find something you can do for God, and do it with the intention of doing it for Him.
The easiest thing is to consider your talents. What are you good at? What do you like to do?
More than likely there is something in there that you can use for the Kingdom of God.
Are you a nerd that loves board games? Start a small group for others like you. Have a night where you play board games and a have a devotional time together. The purpose can’t be so you can have fun playing games. The purpose must connect with God’s desire to reach those gamers. You are building relationships with them so that you can influence them to live for God.
It really can be that easy.
Too many people associate working for God as preaching, singing, leading church groups, etc. And, there’s always a need for that.
But, not everyone is cut out to do that. But everyone is gifted for a particular purpose. Seek yours. Ask for it. And, you will find it.
The bottom line is. Just do something.
God turns our little attempts at something into great things.
Most of the people that accomplished great things didn’t set out to accomplish great things. They just did something, and God took that something and made awesome out of it.
David just took some bread and cheese to his brothers.
Moses just went to watch a burning bush, and took off his shoes.
Gideon was just hiding from the enemy, threshing some grain.
Peter was just fishing.
What are you doing?
If you’re doing nothing, the hard truth is you don’t matter. You are insignificant. You won’t be missed much.
But, if you start doing something, that ceases to be true. And, you become an impact, a difference maker, a servant in the Kingdom of God.
And, when you skip off this world, you will leave behind a gaping hole where your “something” used to be.