If there's anything that can and should compel a person to make a difference, it's the gospel. At the heart of Jesus's finished work is a power that looks to enable followers of Christ to change not only their individual lives, but the community, city or even nation that they are in.
In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
God has every intention to turn Christians into life-giving, history-making and difference-making people, but the reality is that not all believers think they can. God wants us to be leaders and pioneers, but we take a look at ourselves and we don't think we can make any difference at all.
I am reminded of the story of Gideon, whom God called from the pit to become the savior of a whole nation. In response to the great call, Gideon looks to himself and counts his background and identity as a disqualification for such a call. Moses felt the same way. So did Peter, Paul, David and many other people whom God used anyway.
The reason why so many Christians feel limited and unable to make a difference is because deep down we look at who we are and think that our accomplishments are based on who we are. But God says otherwise. Every single time God used someone in the Bible, He brought victory through His power not theirs.
If we truly measured our impact and significance based on who we are and what we can do, then we might as well be better off staying complacent. However, God does not call us to work according to our strength but according to His enabling Spirit that gives us the power to be a witness to all the earth.
When we truly understand the power now made available to us to be used by God because of what Jesus has done, we will think so lightly of our destiny. God does not intend to make us mediocre members of a society that does not even notice us. He wants us to be a light that can be seen and a salt that changes the flavor and atmosphere of an office, campus, household, community or church.
But we must never think that it's because of our own ability. If there's anyone who will be making history it's going to be God, but by His grace and love for us, He calls us to the privilege of participating in His work even though we just might make things worse.
