Gò0dNews for Everyone
Make A Difference!
T
by Evelyn Bathe
he beautiful, inspirational song entitled, “What a
Change is inevitable—nothing remains the same. Every
Difference You’ve Made in My Life,” popularized by
situation we are involved in changes according to what action
Ronnie Milsap, was first recorded by 16-year-old Amy
we take or do not take. Our actions have a bearing on what
Grant in early 1977. One verse says that a change has taken
kind of difference we are making. If we do nothing, the changes
place in the heart because of someone. Hearing the song
that will naturally occur could be harmful or devastating. We
recently got me to thinking: Have I made a difference in this
are called to make changes for good, to cause positive changes
world, the difference I long to make? I’m a teacher at heart and
to take place, to make a difference!
am passionate about instilling God’s Word into people and
There is a beautiful song I’ve heard recently called, “Only
seeing them grow in knowledge and godly wisdom. Although
Jesus.” Some of the words are, “I don’t want to leave a legacy;
I don’t have a classroom anymore, I still hunger to make a
I don’t care if folks remember me, only Jesus.” Although it’s
difference!
beautiful and I get what the author is trying to say, I personally
To make a difference means:
don’t relate very much to the song. You see, I DO want to
• To cause a change
leave a legacy! I DO care if folks remember me! I want to leave
• To do something that is important
a legacy for my son, my grandchildren, and my other loved
• To do something that helps people or makes the world a
ones. I want them to look at me as part of the “great cloud of
better place I believe God intends for us to make a difference in the
witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that went before them and lived a life used by God—however the detours, tragedies, and setbacks
lives of those we will one day leave behind. We can reach out to
clouded and darkened my way—that honored Jesus, loved
children, young people, young couples with struggling families,
deeply, and prayed fervently. I not only want them to see Jesus
and older couples who are transitioning into senior living.
but also Jesus in me!
Joni Eareckson Tada used an illustration likening the
I don’t have a lot of worldly goods to leave behind for
culture to honey being poured out on a table. The honey moves
those I love. The tangible things I cherish and enjoy now will
slowly, constantly moving in the direction of least resistance.
one day be reduced to rubble. Those things that remain will be
Put a pencil down and it acts as a barrier, causing the honey
the joys, sorrows, tears, laughter, the peaceful and turbulent
to change its flow to another course with no resistance. As
times that produced patience, kindness, perseverance, and a
Christians, we can be like that pencil. We can make a difference
sweet spirit, and a heart dedicated to the One who gave me the
in a myriad of ways to stop the negative, sinful aspects of our
opportunity to bring glory to God and make a difference!
culture from continuing its deadly path.
Do you feel you have made a difference in this world? Do
38 // March 2020
About The Author
you want to?
Evelyn Bathe is the wife of Joseph, mother of Jonathan, and grandmother of Brooklyn and Jackson. She has been a speaker for youth, women, and marriage conferences and served in various Christian ministries. Evelyn and her husband retired from pastoring and presently attend Peerless Road Church in Cleveland. Follow Evelyn’s blog at evelyntbathe.wordpress com.
