What Am I Doing To Make A Difference?

“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“To be crucified with me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“To the death we follow Thee.”

Refrain:
Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty. (Earl Marlatt, 1926)

The questions, in my title & in Marlatt’s 1926 verse, have been a part of my prayers & contemplation for the last month or more. I was very worried and stressed about the condition of our government leaders. I watched the 2024 Summer Olympics & found the people representing the countries of the world able to greet each other with seemingly genuine smiles & able to compete & disagree without coming to blows & hostile speeches. What could I do to make an impact on the very commands that Jesus said?

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28: 18-20 (NIV)

I am to love God with all that I am. I am to love others as I love myself. Scripture records don’t say that there are exclusions, like sinners.

I so enjoyed the 2024 Olympics. For 2 weeks I watched people from countries who have very different ideas on how to live & definitions of freedom. But those Olympians treated each other with respect & encouragement. The final Men’s Diving Medal round ended with China, Japan & Germany winning the medals. They embraced each other! WOW!

(Jesus said,) “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. – Luke 6:32 (NIV)

(Paul wrote:) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (NIV)

I know a young woman who has been a teacher for several years to young missionaries who are reaching out to college age students throughout the world. She has missed many Christmases at home with her own family.

Another family, who own their own successful business, are working to build relationships & a home for orphans & the elderly in a southern country. They take mission teams several times during the year to build these buildings & local communities, teaching & living there.

A publisher & some authors, who may even give up their royalties, join with generous contributors to get Christian books translated & printed in other countries. Local pastors are so grateful for the tangible support.

A worldwide group of pastors, teachers, evangelists, & supporters meet once weekly to study & pray for each other. Some are getting up at 5a.m. Others are connecting in the afternoon/evening after a busy day which included riding a bike or walking for several hours to make ministering visits. Prayers are offered for healing from diseases in places of limited healthcare, congregation members who have been arrested for refusing to deny their Christian faith, & reassurance that they are not alone.

What am I doing? How can I change the world? The trajectory of our country? With limited physical strength & money, God has gotten through the lies & reminded me of the important call He has for me.

• Pray. Daily, consistently & keep a list for reminders. And be open for someone God brings to my mind.
• Share needs with those I know. Everyone can be blessed by helping!
• Love. Giving respect, caring, encouragement, – I am Jesus’ disciple. I am the Jesus most people meet every day. How close is my representation? Am I the ‘real deal’? Am I such a mirror image that people give Jesus all the praise?!

God hasn’t finished with me – & I am so grateful.

“Are ye able?” Still the Master
Whispers down eternity,
And heroic spirits answer
Now, as then, in Galilee.

Refrain:
Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty. (Earl Marlatt, 1926)