Today’s The Day To Make A Difference!

Today’s the day to make a difference!

From my Instagram post this morning

I’ve arrived in my office on this chilly Friday spring morning. My commute was rather short… down 13 steps to our basement and 13 more footsteps to my desk (I counted). Armed with a chai tea latte, my phone, and my reading glasses, I’m excited to spend a couple hours doing what I love… writing. What are you up to today, friend?

Inspiration hit me, however, before I arrived here. Each morning in my prayer and study time I typically read a Bible plan from YouVersion, along with my Jesus Calling devotional. I then jot down a few thoughts in my One Line A Day journal. (Affiliate disclosure: If you purchase through one of the above affiliate links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission which helps keep the lights on.)

In praying, reading, and jotting this morning, I became drawn to Matthew 5:14-16.

And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.

Matthew 5:14-16 VOICE (italics were already included)

You and I are to shine.

The second part in another translation reads this way, “Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Wow, we are called to make a difference… in this world, in the lives of others, in every thing we do.

And what a time to do it! Every day gives us opportunities to make a difference, yes. But goodness, has there ever been a better time to make a difference in this wounded world than right now, today? During this time of pandemic, distancing, and isolating? As people all over are hurting, heartbroken, and feeling hopeless?

The time to make a difference is today.

You probably agree, there are a million and one ways to do so. Yes, even if you and I are distancing at home. It all starts with allowing ourselves to shine the light God has placed within each one of us. When we shine that light, others can’t help but be drawn to it. To be encouraged by it. To receive warmth from it. And to be strengthened to shine their own lights. Their lights, in turn, help others to shine theirs. And before long, a ripple effect occurs as one light after another shines bright in this world. All because you shined your light first. All because you made a difference. That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?

And the thing is, God is glorified when we shine. As the scripture above says, people open up to God when we shine. Wow!

Think of three people right now. How can you shine your light in their lives today? How can you make a difference for them? With an encouraging word? A phone call? A written text or letter? (I’m going to send greeting cards in the mail today to the three I’m thinking of.) Or maybe a shout out on social media? Can you offer to pick up their groceries? Or surprise them with fresh-baked, just-out-of-the-oven cookies? (I’m sharing a new cookie recipe in my next post!) Or invite them over to hang out in your driveway six feet apart for an hour to catch up? So many ideas!

A small, kind gesture can make a big difference. One that will be appreciated, welcomed, and remembered for a long time to come.

Making a difference feels good, doesn’t it?

And, surprisingly, it helps lift our spirits, too! Who knows, we may just want to keep this going and think of three more people tomorrow, and three more the day after that. What a great way to shine in this world!

If you care to, let me know how it goes. Share below what you are doing to make a difference today. Shine bright, my friend!

Love,