Those Who Can Make A Difference SHOULD Make A Difference!

Hello weekend readers. You can see my musings in the headline, so let’s just think for a moment about what “making a difference” means not only in our lives but in the lives of others. I’m going to open up this devotion using the words of President Abraham Lincoln…you probably have heard this story before, but as I was working on my musings on this topic, I just had to insert the wisdom of one of our greatest Presidents. Here goes…

In the early years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln became so angered at the inactivity of Union Commander George McClellan that the President wrote his commanding general this one-sentence letter: “If you don’t want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while.” Respectfully, A. Lincoln. OK, a short letter with a huge perspective. Did the Commander listen? Well, here is a tidbit of history on this: “George Brinton McClellan is often remembered as the great organizer of the Union Army of the Potomac. Nicknamed “Young Napoleon,” “Little Mac” was very popular with the men who served under his command. His military command style, however, put him at odds with President Abraham Lincoln, and would ultimately upset his military and political fortunes. His bad habit? He just couldn’t get the job done. He had opportunities galore to make a difference in this difficult war, but he mostly remained idly by letting what needed to be done never got done. It is no wonder Lincoln was frustrated and in the end, their friendship dissolved quickly along with his Commission.

I don’t know about you, but to me one of the most frustrating things is when people who really can make a difference in this world, do nothing. It is a frustration that grinds in my gut and I admit, it really makes me upset. I don’t think I would have had the patience of Lincoln for this guy—I would have booted him out in a blink of an eye.

Now said, I have to stop and look at my own life and the many times I had opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life but, like McClellan, I stood back with idle hands. And oh, how easy it is to say “well, the circumstances were not good for me at that time” and I would claim the excuse as if it were gold. In the end, I think we all realize that we can easily be a “stander-by” and think someone else would be better than us to help this situation. After all, our circumstances need to be tended too, right? Not really, but it feels good and we hang on to the circumstance as if it were so unique you did what you needed to so being idle is OK…but it is NOT Ok.

In the Book of James 4:16-17 (using The Message translation) the Apostle James—who was Jesus’ brother, had something to say about “idle hands and minds that toss aside doing something that needs to be done.” He says “As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.” 

Spend a little time in Scripture and you will find that God is clear that inactivity isn’t just unwise, but it’s very often sinful, like in the case of today’s devotion with Commander McClellan. God has given each of us multiple talents to step in and make a difference so, when we don’t, well now we are going against God’s commands, ugh. We, like McClellan, can hold back and wait for the perfect time to act but within that time, what was needed was action NOW, not when we feel good or are ready to do something. And, as we age, we often use that “aging” as an agent to not ‘act now’ saying, ‘let the younger ones do this, we’ve done enough in our lifetime’. May sound good—even practical, but God won’t have it. God calls you and me to step up into our faith even when the timing isn’t perfect!

In closing, let’s ask ourselves if we are willing to have God use us in powerful ways to make a difference in the lives around us, our own lives, and our whole world. Remember this, when the desire to do what is right meets the opportunity to act, we must act, not sit on our bums. We are God’s children and God can use us in powerful ways to make a difference in so many ways. It’s time we drop the excuses and trust the adventures that God has for us. Step out in faith my friends—someone needs you, AMEN.