How Can I Make a Difference with My Life? Part 2
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- Published Nov 10, 2022
In part one, I included biblical principles and attitudes that are important for believers who want to make a difference with their lives. God works in us according to His will and purpose, but we also have a part by surrendering to and obeying Him.
Since the previous article examined a biblical basis for making an impact, we can now look at some practical ideas based on Scripture.
Everyone’s life is unique with different struggles, relationships, and opportunities. However, the ideas in this article could serve as prayer points and inspiration to start serving Christ where you are and spanning out.
These are not requirements for being saved because we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, these points provide real-life examples of how to get involved in serving, loving, and glorifying Christ.
1. Pray for Family, Friends, and the Needs of Others
Oftentimes, we underestimate prayer when, in reality, it is a powerful act of talking to the Lord and interceding for others. As James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Even if someone has chronic health conditions or is older, nothing can stop them from making a difference by praying for others.
Regularly praying for others is an effective way we can make a difference with our lives. We can pray for unbelieving loved ones, friends with health issues, or the spiritual growth of the youth group at church.
Not only can we pray for our family, friends, and a local church, but we can also pray for various needs in the world. For instance, we could begin praying for an unreached people group each day on the commute to work or during a walk.
Aligning specific activities that we do in everyday life with our prayers is another way to remember to pray for the needs of others.
We might decide to pray for those experiencing hunger in our communities as we cook meals or intercede for those in other countries without access to clean water while taking a shower or washing dishes.
Asking for these individuals to encounter Jesus, the Bread of Life and the only One who can impart living water is also important to remember as we think about the physical and spiritual needs of others (John 4:14; 6:48).
2. Seek Out Ways to Show Christ’s Love
As we start praying for others, we will begin to develop a heart for others that compels us to act. Scripture reminds us that love involves doing: “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
James’ epistle also emphasizes the need to live out our faith by helping others in practical ways (James 2:14-17).
We can make a difference in life by finding ways to show Christ’s love to others. For example, after praying about hunger in the community, a person may decide to volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate food, or help provide meals to children through a local Christian ministry.
Likewise, a person who intercedes for unreached people groups may feel drawn to take the gospel to a specific group.
Other ideas include taking a meal to a friend or loved one who is sick, visiting an elderly member of the church, listening to a hurting friend, volunteering in the community, or buying blankets and other supplies for a homeless shelter.
3. Build Relationships, Share the Gospel
In showing Christ’s love to others, we also have the opportunity to build relationships. As believers, we can positively impact relationships by pointing others to Jesus.
The most loving act in all of history was Jesus’ death and resurrection to save us from our sins (John 15:13; Romans 5:8; 8:39). We can introduce others to the One who loves them most.
While we should seek to share the gospel with our family, friends, and others, we should not view our relationships with others as an evangelism project. Jesus always treated people with worth, not as projects. He showed love to others unconditionally.
Investing in relationships shows that we value the other person, not because we want to gain something from them, but because we love them as Christ does.
Naturally, out of our relationship with others, we will have opportunities to talk about our testimony, present the gospel, and live out our faith. Genuine love for others is more compelling to our friends, family, and others we meet than a “salesman” approach.
4. Give to Others
Scripture encourages believers to give freely and sacrificially to others, not from a place of compulsion. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
We can give from our various resources to help others and impact them for Jesus. Time, skills, talents, words, possessions, and money are all aspects of our resources that we can donate to make a difference in someone’s life.
Volunteer opportunities with ministries, churches, and Christian organizations abound and are a wonderful way to get involved in the lives of others. Someone who is gifted in teaching can volunteer to tutor kids struggling in poverty.
A medically trained professional could give from their skills and time by going on a medical mission trip. Multiple opportunities also exist in churches to build up the body of Christ and do gospel outreach in the local community.
Furthermore, giving from our finances can make an impact. We can give from what God has given us to bless others.
Thus, giving financially to Christian ministries or organizations that help those in poverty while spreading the gospel is an important investment for eternity. As the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
5. Disciple Another Believer
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He personally taught the 12 disciples (Luke 6:12-16). Later, these disciples (excluding Judas Iscariot) spread the gospel and made more disciples (Acts 1:8).
Likewise, the Apostle Paul invested in his relationships with Timothy and Titus, who became impactful church leaders (1 Timothy 1:2, 18-19; Titus 1:4-5). Following the example of Scripture, we also can make a difference in life by discipling another believer.
The discipleship process is ongoing, but we can come alongside another believer to pass on biblical insights and lessons we have learned. In turn, we also learn from the other person.
Although people commonly disciple someone younger than them, age is not the defining factor for spiritual growth. Seniors can learn much from younger people, just as kids and teenagers can learn from their elders.
Parents can invest in the lives of their kids. Single individuals could offer to disciple a new or struggling believer at their workplace. Young adults can pour into the life of peers and younger children.
Older Christians can readily find people at church and in their neighborhood to impart biblical wisdom and share how God has worked in their lives. If we pray and seek out a disciple, God will lead us to someone.
6. Model a Passionate Love for God
Finally, we can make a difference by modeling a wholehearted love for God. The Bible says that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Out of this love for God will come a love for other people (Mark 12:31). When we long to know God better and love Him with our entire being, then this will affect how we live, think, and act toward others.
The most impactful people in Scripture are those who had a close relationship with the Lord and longed to know Him better.
For example, Paul had an unquenchable desire to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10, BSB).
Likewise, David talked about his love for God in a psalm when he stated, “your love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3).
Hence, to grow in our relationship with the Lord and develop a longing for Him, we must spend regular time with God, talk to Him through prayer, read and meditate on His Word, and worship Him.
The more we spend time with Him, the more we will know and love Him. His love will overflow in us and impact those we encounter.
Why Does This Matter?
The points in this article can serve as a starting place for believers who want to make a difference with their lives. While the list is not exhaustive, the ideas of praying, demonstrating Christ’s love, building relationships, giving of our resources, discipling another believer, and modeling wholehearted love for God are all based in Scripture.
By intentionally looking for opportunities to live out our faith, we can impact the people around us and others in the world.
For further reading:
What Does it Mean to Be Doers of the Word?
How Can I Make a Difference with My Life? Part 1
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/millann
