[{"id":2588,"order":0,"imagePath":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/df4d6566-3854-426d-ac09-c1ed6cae9c82.png","type":"image","content":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/df4d6566-3854-426d-ac09-c1ed6cae9c82.png"},{"id":2589,"order":1,"contentText":"Each Baptist magazine edition, in this column, a member of Mission Council reflects on one of the themes surrounding Prayer and Self Denial 2019. This month, Ru0101wiri Auty reflects on u201cWeu2019re making a difference.u201d
We all like to think weu2019re making a difference, donu2019t we? We invest our time, effort and resources into things that we care about, and we grasp onto a deep desire to see something good come of it all. Sometimes weu2019re delighted by what we see, but other times we wonder if the effort was really worth it.
Recently, I completed a Masteru2019s thesis. Itu2019s been the single hardest piece of work Iu2019ve ever done. There were times when I wondered if it was even possible for me to achieve. More than once I spent weeks working on something that never made the final cut. Other times I found myself delighted by a piece of work, only then to discover something that challenged it so profoundly that significant changes were needed. Praise the Lord that I got it done in the end, but one question still bugs me, u201cWill it make any difference?u201d
When weu2019re looking for significance in the things we invest ourselves into, itu2019s important that we donu2019t become short-sighted. We need to remember that we donu2019t get to see all of the results of our work in a single moment in time. Itu2019s also important to recognise that there are ups and downs on any road that takes us forward, and that we can say, like Samuel, u201cthus far the Lord has helped usu201d (1 Samuel 7:12). With that in mind, we can have confidence that he will lead us on.
With NZBMS, what weu2019re investing into is something much bigger than ourselves. The outcomes we see today are due to the significant contributions made yesterday. The investments we make today will determine the difference we can make tomorrow.
Yes, weu2019re making a difference. Letu2019s keep it up!
Click here to find out more about Prayer and Self Denial 2019
Scripture: Unless otherwise specified, Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright u00a91989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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