This devotion is a monthly ministry of the Pee Dee Baptist Association, comprised of 31 Southern Baptist churches in Dillon and Marlboro Counties. For more information call 774-8062.
Featured this month is Rev. Rob Pierce, the pastor of Latta Baptist Church, Latta.
You may have heard it said that you have but one life to live on this earth. We all recognize the fact that this statement is true. The question we must ask ourselves is what do we want to be known for or how do we want to be remembered? What difference have you made in your town or community? Have you made a difference in anyone’s life?
Three pastors were discussing this very question recently at a funeral visitation. All three pastors were standing in the funeral home, talking to each other while standing near the casket of the deceased. The Methodist pastor asked the other pastors, “If this were you in the casket, what would you want your parishioners to say about you as they passed by and looked at you?”
The Baptist pastor said, “Well, I’d like for my congregation to say that I was a great preacher and that my messages were not only informative but meaningful for their lives.” The Presbyterian pastor thought for a moment and said, “I hope that when my folks pass by my casket, they’ll look down on me and say that I was a very caring pastor and that I truly showed the love of Christ for them on a daily basis.”
Then the Baptist pastor and the Presbyterian pastor looked at the Methodist pastor and inquired about him answering his own question. The Methodist pastor said, “When my congregation walks by my casket and looks down on me, I want them to point at me and say, ‘Look, he’s moving, he’s moving!!!’”
Please excuse my attempt at humor and read on!
The truth is that we all want to be well thought of and that we should be about making a difference in the world around us. Why? Because, if we claim to have a relationship to Jesus Christ, we must seek to be the salt and the light that Jesus has called us to be in this world.
As you examine your life, what kind of difference are you making in the world? It’s a sobering question because it’s so easy to be so caught up in our own little world that we forget about the people in the world around us.
Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 5:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] “Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify you Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16, NASB
Are you making a difference by being the salt and light? As a Christian, providing salt and light is crucial to the world around you seeing Jesus and why He came to give His life for them. You can make a difference in this world by simply obeying the instructions of Jesus. When you obey Him, you are proclaiming to the world that you love Jesus.
The light of Jesus must shine in your life if you are His disciple. You see, our faith is personal, but it was never meant to be private. Your faith in Christ must be obvious in the way you live your life every day. That’s the only way you can make a difference for His Kingdom.
If you don’t know Christ or you do want to know more about Him, call 1-800-633-3446 today and begin the journey of your lifetime.
