[Difference Makers] Courage Sample

Difference Makers Give Glory to God

When Jesus forgave and healed the paralyzed man, and the crowd saw that man get up, take up his mat, and go home, they were awestruck. The Bible tells us that they glorified God, amazed at the authority He had given to Jesus, the Son of God. 

Recall that by forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus had declared Himself to be God. By healing the man, Jesus confirmed that He was the Messiah. When the crowd saw what Jesus had done, they celebrated the Savior. They gave glory to God and were awed by Jesus. 

The crowd was not applauding the paralyzed man’s steps. Scripture does not say that the people cheered as he danced, or that he ran a marathon and everybody thought he was awesome, or that everyone selected him to be on their soccer team because he would be the best runner and kicker. But the paralyzed man walked and the people glorified God. 

Now for his part, the man had to get up and walk with great courage. Difference makers aren't concerned with their success, they are concerned with doing what Jesus asks them to do. That’s what the paralyzed man did. If we are difference makers who are courageous in faith, we need to let God have all the credit and glorify Him. 

Difference makers want to shine with their Savior. Jesus is not a route to fame, or riches, or success. Jesus wants to shine through you. You cannot work for your salvation but you do have to step forward in faith, by God’s grace, to follow His leading. 

We are all streaked and stained with our own desires, our need for recognition and for pats on the back. We want some credit sometimes, but we need to let God have all the credit and be glorified. If we lack courage, if we refuse to get up, if we want the credit that properly belongs to God, we’re not going to make the difference for eternity that we should. Difference makers have the courage to live for God, not for themselves. 

Pray: God, help me to know my own heart. Reveal the sins that hold me back and help me to live for you. Help me to shine for my Savior.