Difference Makers

By Greg Primm

Yesterday we heard from Mike Rusch of the Cobblestone Project.  In addition to giving us a great overview of the Cobblestone Project, he shared the personal story of what led he and his team to begin a life of service.

I learned a lot from talking with Mike.  Like many of you, he and I are on the same journey of reconciling our faith to our daily lives.  I was inspired to hear about the team of six friends that felt the time was right and made a change in their lives.  In doing so, they are making a change in other people’s lives through their service.  As I finished yesterday’s post, I started walking through what was it that “difference makers” do that is different from most of us.  I’m sure there are many things we could list, but here are four things that I found:

1. Recognition that something needed to change.  People who make a difference in their life don’t just sit back and let life pass them by.  Mike and the future Cobblestone team realized they needed more than the “American Dream”.  Even though at times he didn’t know what the change would be, he didn’t stop searching.
2. The “I’ve Had It!” moment.  Many of us have recognized that things need to change, but we may never have come to the place in our lives where we simply couldn’t continue doing things the same old way.  The Cobblestone team had one of these moments.  They couldn’t not make a change.
3. Action!  Perhaps the biggest problem with making changes in our lives is just taking action.  After having our “I’ve Had It!” moment, we take a few steps in the direction we need to go.  The first thing that happens is we realize that the job is too BIG to accomplish quickly.  We get caught up in how much work needs to be done rather than focusing on the next step that we need to take.  Mike’s advice?  “Don’t worry about the long term goals or plans, just take that next “one step” that seems like the next right thing to do. “
4. A willingness to give up control to be led in the direction they needed to go.  It’s not about us.  It’s not about us.  Let’s face it, most of us want to know how our story will end.  We want to know what everything will look like once its complete.  The problem is, life is messy.  We can’t control the outcome.  Once you learn to let go and let yourself be led in the direction God has for you, much of the stress goes away.  It’s not about me determining my future.  It’s about being obedient to the life God has planned for me.  Easy to say, tough to do.

That’s it.  Four things that I believe “difference makers” do that sets them apart.  So, what did I miss?  Anything?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.