Rev. Joseph Cousin

BY REV. DR. JOSEPH N. COUSIN SR.

It has been said that three types of people exist: those who watch things happen, those who wonder what happened and those who make things happen. If we are being honest with ourselves, to which category would we most likely belong? We have all been participants in each category, but where do we spend the majority of our lives?

When I began my service as pastor of Allen Temple AME Church, God gave me four areas of concentration regarding work in the church: teach, go, serve and grow. These areas are applicable in making a difference within our lives. Each of us has the capacity to make a difference, but we often need to be encouraged. Here are four things we can do to be a difference-maker.

1. Teach. Difference-makers are learners and teachers, working to encourage others as often as possible. However, before we can teach, we must be willing to learn. Share the lessons that you have learned with others, and always be eager to learn new things yourself. 2. Go. Be willing to leave your comfort zone. Differencemakers don’t mind being uncomfortable in going to places where they can make a difference. It is impossible to make a difference if we are not willing to take risks, one of which involves leaving our comfort zones. 3. Serve. Difference-makers must be service-oriented. If we want to make a real difference, we cannot look constantly for what will benefit us. We must be willing to serve to benefit, and be a blessing to, someone else. We must not forget that service is sacrifice. Difference-makers are willing to serve others, because they are willing to sacrifice. 4. Grow. Difference-makers are willing to stretch and eager to grow. When we teach, go and serve, it is only natural that we also grow. However, we cannot be afraid of our growth; we must embrace, welcome and celebrate it. Difference-makers reflect on their lives with the understanding that they are not the same person that they were, nor do they expect to be the same person; differencemakers look to grow.

Be a difference-maker. Teach, go, serve and grow. Be the difference that makes the difference.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Cousin Sr. is pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Woodstock and the founding president of the Cherokee County NAACP.