My wife and I attended a
memorial service last week for a friend who passed away unexpectedly. It was a beautiful ceremony and more of a celebration
of his life than anything else. But as his lovely wife talked through her tears
about his life and all that he accomplished, I couldn’t help thinking about my
own life. Have I really accomplished anything of value during all the years of
my life? Have I made a difference in this world? Can I make a difference in
this world?
Somewhere, I remember reading a
very haunting question. Do you want
to make a difference in this world? The author’s answer was short, direct, and
to the point. “Live a holy life.”
Whoa! That’s a lot easier said
than done. And even if I could do
that, could I really make a positive difference in this world? Here’s my answer…
No! First off, I can’t live a completely holy life no matter how hard I try
because I am simply a flawed human being, full of faults and far from grace.
Second, I am only one person, living in one small town, in one small part of a
country, that is part of a huge planet teeming with billions of people. I can’t
possibly make a difference in this world.
But I can make a difference in
my world! My world consists of my
wife, my children, my grandchildren, my extended family, my friends, my coworkers
and the people I meet on the street. My world is small compared to the entire
population of the planet, but it’s still my world, where everything I do can
have an effect on the people around me.
If am faithful to my spouse…
If I am honest at work…
If I treat my neighbors with respect and strangers
with generosity…
If I pay my bills (and even my taxes) ...
If I lead a peace-filled life of love for others…
If I don’t speak one message and lead another…
If I set a good example…
Maybe I can make a difference in my world!
Example is not the main thing in influencing
others.
It is the only thing.
~ Albert Schweitzer
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