An individual on Instagram recently observed the phrase “Be the spark that changes the world!” on a billboard – and here was his reaction:

“I’m 62 and have been a vocational pastor for 39 years. I serve in a smallish church of very diverse believers, and commit around 55 hours per week to active ministry: I’ve got my hands and heart full, and don’t know that I can handle much more.

So yesterday’s billboard wasn’t helpful. It urged college students with one part encouragement and one part moral imperative to “Be the spark that changes the world.” While some are supposedly changing the world, I’ve been reinforcing the faith of the pew-6 brother who’s battling porn, the pew-9 widow who has 3 young children, and the pew-29 teen whose faith has hit the skids. I’ve kept busy trying to help my flock survive in the world and thrive in Jesus.” –

thegospelcoalition from Instagram May 14th

This pastor has discovered these basic truths:

1) That changing the world is right in front of us.

2) It starts with making the difference in one life.

3) That every little bit we give can help a greater cause.

Deep inside I believe we all want to make a difference, we want our lives to matter. We desire to leave a legacy whenever our time has ended. However, the world we live in is overflowing with so many problems – hunger, lack of clean water, disease, a global pandemic, homelessness, human trafficking, crime, drugs, corruption, financial crisis, natural disasters and on and on . . . Add to that, our own day to day struggles we cope with by simply being humans on planet Earth.

Maybe you’re like me and have fallen into the false narratives of:

It’s too overwhelming – so I’m not going to do anything at this moment.

As soon as I get more money I can start giving to these causes.

What difference can I make with all of these global problems?

Fortunately, a quote by speaker/author Beth Moore recently appeared on Instagram (I promise I don’t spend all of my free time on social media 🙂

We can’t do 1000 things to the glory of God but we can do a few. Let’s do what He’s placed in front of us presently with all our might.

Nothing done in His name is insignificant or purposeless. We have this day. This one day.

Here is a simple way to start making an impact: Start with one cause you are passionate about – and start with $1. Don’t overthink it. Don’t claim, “It’s not enough.” Just get started today!

No one can stretch a dollar further than God can! (You can tweet that 🙂

Need some ideas? Here are just a few organizations near and dear to my heart:

1. Charitywater.org – Founder Scott Harrison’s goal is that every person on the planet have access to clean water. Any donation amount is welcomed.
2. Compassion International and World Vision – make a difference in a child’s life who is living in poverty by providing them food and an education for about a $1 a day.
3. Gospel for Asia – You can support a missionary and his family for $1 a day.
4. A21.org – Nick and Christine Caine have the revolutionary vision to end human trafficking everywhere on the planet. Any amount of donation is encouraged.
5. Goals for Bowls – a ministry located near my hometown of Keller, TX. Their mission is to provide meals, clean water, medicine, and soccer balls to impoverished children all over the world. Their giving platform starts at $1. Check out their website at goalsforbowls.com.
6. Mananutrition.org – they have created a vitamin enriched peanut butter paste called “Mana” that can save children from malnutrition.
7. Samaritan’s Purse – Franklin Graham leads this ministry of global assistance when any kind of disaster strikes.

God looks at our hearts. We can “Be the spark that changes the world.” It starts with helping one person or cause out – and then growing from there.

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21: 1-4)

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische