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Q.Why don't we get more involved in our communities?

A. We hang back, thinking, What difference can I make? I have so little to offer. It won't do any good. The problems are so great, the community so corrupt—any results will be only token. Since the world is hopelessly lost, and heaven is our escape, it becomes much easier to critique the world for its evil than to work in it for its good.

But look at the believers in the early church. They were an infinitesimally small group up against the world's most resilient and powerful civilization. Yet they gave themselves relentlessly to the ancient world, which they too knew was passing away. They "invaded" it, loved it, served it, and enriched it with their good works.

So why did they do it?

Two reasons. First, they saw themselves entrusted with a special calling, a sacred duty to service. Impact wasn't their goal; faithful stewardship was.

Second, they measured success by how much they loved, not by how much the culture changed. These early Christians no doubt felt "successful," but not because they counted up notches on their toga belts. No, the objective in their love and service was bringing glory to God.

Asking "What difference can I make?" poses the wrong question. We should ask, "What stewardship has God called me to render?" This is all that will matter in eternity.

And when we say, "It won't do any good!" we need to be reminded what "good" is. For if God has been glorified, we've done good. Real good.

Robert Lewis is pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas

Adapted from The Church of Irresistible Influence (Zondervan, 2001) by permission.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, don't let my belief remain private and detached. Push me out into Your world to demonstrate Your love.

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