Christian Living
Inspirational/Christian-living Article
YOU TOO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN LIFE
BY JOSHUA AKWUDIKE
Indebted, sacked, divorced and abandoned by all, O’Brian thought his world had come to an end. Plunged into total hopelessness, he became given to much alcohol in order to find solace but didn’t. He kept recalling his tragic situation and concluded that he had indeed lost everything and that there wasn’t any reason for him to live anymore. “Life isn’t worth living anymore. It is better I had died.” This he said to himself one day.
Just a few blocks away in the neighbourhood lived a new family who moved in recently. The couple since their arrival had been visiting the neighbours to introduce themselves for acquaintance. Their friendly gesture was welcomed and appreciated.
One day they visited O’Brian. But he would not open his door to them as they rang the bell. With an emotion-laden voice emphasised by weeping, he demanded that they left, saying that he had had enough of life’s unfairness. The new couple was surprised. That was the last thing they had anticipated. They urged him to open the door to let them in that everything would be alright. O’Brian refused, repeating that he was done with life. The new couple kept persuading him in order to stop the impending danger from happening. At last, he opened the door. The couple got into the house. On the rug of his sitting room were a gun and a little bottle containing poisonous substance. He had intended to use either of the two to put an end to his life. Asked what his problems were, he narrated his ordeal. The couple was moved and spoke words of encouragement to him. Right there, O’Brian’s face lit up with hope. He told the couple that he had changed his mind because he had seen another reason he should live. Months later, he got a new and better job. He serviced his debt, found a new love and lived happily after. That couple had indeed made a difference in his life.
Like that couple, we all are agents of change. We all have the ability to cause a change in our family, place of work, neighbourhood, city and nation. Life is full of persons like O’Brian (people that have given up on their dreams and life). The creator calls on every one of us to act like that couple in the neighbourhood. A great life is one that thinks about others----about how to be a blessing to others’ lives, how to make an impact. True greatness is measured not by financial wealth, but by the positive impact one has had on others. People of impact outlive---they live on their beneficiaries’ memory.
· TIPS TO HELP YOU BECOME A PERSON THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
1. LOVE PEOPLE:
The fundamental secret to becoming a person that can make any difference in other people’s lives is LOVE FOR PEOPLE. Love helps us to live not just for ourselves but for others as well. Love for people broadens or makes our hearts large. People who don’t love others don’t have large heart no matter their size, education, race and achievements. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people spend much of their time thinking, talking and doing hateful things rather than loving things. Nevertheless, no matter how prevalent wickedness (expressed as hatred) is, love is greater. To love is divine, but to hate is devilish. So why not be a person that loves people today.
2. BE FRIENDLY:
When you love people, you would like to be friendly with them. Love is the basis for true friendship. Talking about friendship, I mean, a well-intentioned and purpose-driven friendship---the one that builds rather than destroys, the one that empowers rather than overpowers, the one that makes rather than mars, the one that celebrates the success of another rather than becoming jealous of progress, the one that intercedes for the other rather than plots for the downfall, the one that inspires the other into action rather than kills hope, the one that stays with the other in times of crisis rather than abandons. Do these characteristics describe you? That is what it is to be a true friend.
3. BE SENSITIVE AND CARING:
A person that intends to become a person that can make a difference in life must be sensitive and caring. This means being concerned with other persons challenges---being able to identify with them when they are experiencing their low moments, when they feel helpless and hopeless. When a challenge arises, be on the side of the solution providers and not gossips.
4. DON’T BE SELF-CENTERED:
One of the world’s major problems is SELF-CENTEREDNESS. Self-centeredness is the act or habit of thinking about oneself only and not thinking about the needs or feelings of other people. It is a lifestyle devoid of the love for other people. Ironically, we live in a world where such is greatly expressed---a world where what dominates our individual lives is SELF. Self-centeredness is common in our expression. Whenever expressions such as: ‘me’ or ‘I’ or ‘my’ or ‘mine’ are used too often it is obvious that self-centeredness is in action in the individual’s life. Self-centeredness places self above others, making him insensitive, uncaring, unkind and unloving about others. Self-centered persons never truly love people, no matter how hard they might claim. Their association with others is usually on the basis of ‘what can I get from this?’ and never ‘what can I give?’ Self-centered persons are found in every aspects of life. They are exemplified as: spouses, employers, employees, ministers of the gospel, politicians, children, students, friends, relations and neighbours. A self-centered person is always a receiver and never a giver. But a great life is one that gives.
5. SEE HELPING OTHERS AS A GREAT PRIVILEGE FROM GOD:
Helping others should only be viewed as a great privilege from God. After all, God could have chosen someone else. Unfortunately, many persons despite being so blessed by God and being in position to help had turned deaf ears to the needy. However, every person is a potential helper. Help is expressed in many forms which include: financial, material, emotional, academical, moral and spiritual helps. Whichever form of help needed from you, let God use today.
6. BE A GIVER:
Giving is a habit of those that make a difference in life. They don’t just live for themselves. They consider themselves a channel through which God can use to reach to others. So they are ever willing and ready to give whenever the need arises. Giving is not limited to money and material. It could also be time, energy and moral support.
However, to some persons, giving money is very difficult. They either think they don’t have enough to spare, or think they should be the one to be given to always or they give with the intention to receive from the person later in life. As a giver, the last mentioned intention or motive is wrong and should not be applied to giving. Let’s learn to give cheerfully and generously.
In marriage, as spouses we are expected to flow in gift of money, material, time, energy and moral support. What about the employers of labour, employees, and Christians?
Everybody is expected to be a giver. To the discouraged, your best gift could be the gift of encouragement. To the confused, you best gift could be the gift of moral support. To your sick spouse, your best gift to him/her could be the gift of prayers, care and moral support. To the financially challenged person, your best gift could be the gift of money. To a neighbour, your best gift could be the gift of a good wish. To your family, your best gift could be the gift of spending more time with your spouse and children. And what about God? Someone might be asking: ‘does God also need a gift from me? Yes, He does need your money, time, service, most importantly, your life. Have you given your all to Him? Aren’t you still lording over some aspects of your life? It is either He is the Lord over all, or He is not Lord at all. Make Him the Lord of your life and experience Him in your life like never before.
Don’t forget, we all are agents of change ordained by God to make a difference in life (Matthew 5: 13-16). Like that new couple in the neighbourhood, help someone survive a crisis, overcome addiction, banish anxiety, achieve a feat, fulfil destiny, experience salvation, believe in life again, and most importantly, be drawn closer to God like never before. By so doing, you would have made your own difference in life.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Joshua Akwudike is a gospel minister, ghost-writer, freelance writer, leadership and management consultant, book reviewer, educator, columnist/contributor, novelist and poet. Some of his articles and short stories have been published in secular and Christian newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide. Also an international conference speaker, Joshua has delivered lectures and taught in secular and Christian conferences, seminars, workshops and conventions in Nigeria and Cameroun with invitations to also come speak in the U.S, India, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Gabon, Central Africa Republic and Malawi. He resides in Lagos, Nigeria, where he spends parts of his time writing and conferencing.
Joshua Akwudike can be contacted at [email protected]
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us to make a difference,
HE calls us to be a testimony
of saving grace and the
gospel and a witness of
HIS love and HIS Spirit!!
BLESSINGS!