Framing houses gave my husband such a sense of satisfaction.
He felt he was making a difference in giving someone their dream home. Seeing the house take shape so quickly also gave him a sense of satisfaction.
Most things in life aren’t as visible, leaving us unsatisfied and believing we’re not making a difference in any way, shape, or form. Men want to feel they make a difference at work, women want to make a difference at work or home, and those in ministry want to make a difference in the Kingdom of God.
As a visually impaired mom who is now blind, and as a pastor’s wife, I have wondered more often than not, if I am making any difference at all. Leaving a legacy has always been a desire of my heart, but will you ever know if you do?
If you are a living, breathing human, you have had these same thoughts. Making a difference somehow is in our DNA. When my husband and I founded a feeding ministry to stretch people’s dollars, the desire to make a difference overwhelmed me, causing depression from time to time. I had no idea if I was making a difference where the need was so great.
Thankfully, God used a volunteer one day to encourage me. I will never forget what she said, “There were two men walking along the shore. Piled high beside them were dying starfish. As they walked, the younger one would stoop every few feet and toss one in the ocean. When the other gentleman inquired about his friend wasting his time, he learned the generous man believed he was making a difference in the life of the starfish he rescued.”
We can’t focus on the pile of dying starfish, but on the one we help at the moment. It is so easy to focus on our failures or the overwhelming problem. Instead, we need to realize we can change our focus to making a difference in the moment available at the time.
This really hit home when another volunteer came to me feeling unsatisfied, sharing how they felt they never made a difference. I was able to let her know how many times she had been there to read something for me I couldn’t or carry something I was unable to.
That simple act may not seem like you are making a difference, but if she hadn’t been there to assist, many people would not have had a hot meal that night. That made a difference in their lives that night. No one can guarantee if it made a long-term difference, but a seed was planted. Love was sown through compassion and a smile.
Making a difference is learning to walk by faith. If we go by feelings or what we see, we will be depressed. Obeying God is what is important, and we can trust it will make a difference in ways we know not of.
Think about some people in the Bible.
Moses felt his life was ruined after killing, so much so, he ran away to hide in the desert for forty years. Even though it claims in Acts 7 that Moses had great speech, he claimed poor speech as an excuse not to go back to free Israelite slaves. When finally convinced to go with his brother’s help, I can only imagine what he felt after each plague.
Pharoah would not be moved in the beginning, then he would say they could leave, but changed his mind. In the end, after not giving up, they were set free with more belongings than one could ever imagine. We all know what a difference Moses made.
If he had gone by feelings, he wouldn’t have persevered, in my opinion. He had more than enough opportunities to feel he had failed.
Then there was Jacob’s first wife, Leah. She never could measure up to her sister Rachel. Even bearing sons when Rachel couldn’t, didn’t win Jacob’s favor, yet she bore Judah. What a difference! Without Judah, Jesus wouldn’t have arrived.
Even the simple act of obedience for a handful of Levite priests made a difference when Joshua instructed them to step into the flooded Jordan River. That first step is what allowed them to cross . . . a miraculous feat!
If you are doing what God asks of you, can you trust Him to know you are making a difference without seeing it? If not, my book Faith Illustrated: Taking Your Next Step can help.
I pray this encouraged you in some way. I so appreciate your taking time to stop in and to share this with your friends. Feel free to follow me on any of my social media. Prayers and blessings.
© 2022, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Hello Jena! I really enjoyed this message and could relate to it. I feel that sometimes the simple subtle ways that we do not even recognize are of greater impact in ministry to others, than being used in a big way that is obvious at times. I hope this makes sense.
You have been such a great inspiration to so many through being such a positive person who is sight impaired. No matter what, you always pointed people to the Savior and you have always been ready to help anyone with kind words and honest advice.
Robin, you made perfect sense. Thanks for taking time to read and comment. Thanks for the extra nice, encouraging words. I pray they are right for I desire to point people toward Jesus. So do you. Blessings, sister!