Becoming Like Jesus: What Difference Do I Make?Sample

What Difference Do I Make?

Deep down, we have a desire to make a difference. We are searching for significance. There’s a longing we can’t escape to live a life that matters.

But where does that come from? Why is this so common? How is it that nearly every person, on every continent, from every generation, experiences this same sensation?

It comes from the fact that we’re human. You were designed by God with a purpose for your life. Tragically, through an event known as the Fall, sin invaded God’s once good world and infected all of us. Sin is a disease of self-centeredness that robs us of our purpose and separates us from God. With those things gone, we’re left with a longing to recapture the meaning we once had. More often than not, we look for it in all the wrong places.

We chase after the idols of our modern world believing they will bring us what we’re missing. We’ve bought into the lie that if we have the right job and make enough money, then our lives will matter. We’ve become convinced that if we achieve a position of influence and respect in society, then we will find the significance we’re looking for. If we get enough followers and fans, then we won’t feel so empty. If we have a relationship with someone who satisfies our sexual desires, then, maybe, we won’t feel so alone.

These are the empty promises we’ve all been sold. And we know they’re empty because the people who have all of those things still feel empty. Those things don’t satisfy the longings of their soul.

So, if even the rich, the powerful, the famous, and the romantically involved still struggle to find the secret to a meaningful life, then what hope is there for us?

The answer? Two words that dismantle the deluded dreams of our if/then way of seeing the world: Good News.

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:14-15 NLT

Jesus came to announce the time had come for the damage of sin to be undone and for all of the world to be made right with God. This is why the Gospel is good news: because the God who made us in His likeness became like us to rescue us from sin, reunite us with Him, and restore our purpose.

Jesus is calling us to find freedom, forgiveness, and fulfillment in Him. But will we answer the call?

At this point, you might be wondering, “Okay, but how do I find my calling?” That’s a really great question. In order to find your calling, we have to first understand what all is included in your calling. Because—and this may surprise some people—your calling is so much more than the job you do. Your calling is made up of four key parts:

1. The Caller.
2. Your Identity.
3. Your Purpose.
4. Your Assignment.

The Caller - Finding your calling starts with knowing the Caller. The closer you get to God, the more clearly you’ll be able to hear His voice. The more you grow in your relationship to Him, the more you’ll grow in your understanding of who you are, what God wants you to do, and how you’ve been gifted to do it. If you want to find your calling, start with getting to know the Caller.

Your Identity - This is who you are. Until you know who you are, you won’t really know what you’re meant to do. How do you discover who you are? You listen to the voice of God. You seek Him through the Scriptures. You surround yourself with people who will say again what God is already saying. If you want to find your calling, root your identity in the truth of who God says you are.

Your Purpose - This is what God wants you to do. So, what does God want you to do? According to Jesus, the most important thing God wants us to do is love Him with all that we are and to love others the way we love ourselves. Everything else points to these two ideas. If you want to find your calling, commit yourself to becoming the kind of person who can truly love God with all that you are, and love others the same way Jesus has loved us.

Your Assignment - This is how you do what God wants you to do. This is the piece of the puzzle that most people spend the majority of their energy trying to figure out. Which makes a lot of sense. Because we all want to do the right thing and not the wrong thing. But, before we can figure out how we’re supposed to do what we’re supposed to do, we have to start with knowing the Caller and letting Him define who we are. And when we do that, guess what happens? The how winds up taking care of itself.

So, how do you find your calling? Start by getting close to God. Let Him tell you who you are and what you’re supposed to do. Then, stop obsessing about the assignment. Be obsessed with the Caller. If you do, He’ll show you what to do and where to go.

“... lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:1 NLT

Pray: God, help me to keep my eyes on you. Teach me to trust in you. Remind me who I really am. Lead me to my purpose, and protect me from all the worries that come from feeling like I have to have everything figured out. You’re good. You’re in charge. I will follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen.