You Can Make a Difference

What kind of difference maker are you? Now you might be thinking to yourself, “I’m not a difference maker.” But I would beg to differ. To make a difference means affecting another person, group or situation. So really the key question is: “What kind of difference are you making?”

Each day when you make your way to your place of work, you make a choice as to how you are going to affect and interact with others. Did you wake up today planning to change the world? Admitting that would certainly sound grandiose, it really only takes a small act to make a big difference.

How do you act in the workplace? Are you one person at work and then someone else when in a different environment? We must remember it is extremely important to be genuine and real, regardless of your environment. It’s all about attitude, honesty, integrity, and accountability.

• Attitude: Do you have the joy of the Lord in you when you enter your workplace, knowing that this is the field that God has given you? Having joy unspeakable and being full of glory will cause people to wonder what makes you tick. Soon enough, co-workers or clients will be asking you why you are always in a good mood, often opening doors to let you share the reason behind your happiness.

• Honesty/Integrity: Simply said, tell the truth. Telling the truth creates trust with your co-workers. Do what you say you will do. Be a person of integrity by holding to your moral and biblical values. Psalm 26:1 says, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.” (NKJV)

• Accountability: Part of our human condition means that we will occasionally make mistakes. The key is holding yourself accountable for the mistake; be willing to apologize and take the necessary steps to avoid making the same mistake in the future. Perhaps you need to be more familiar with your policies/processes, or you may need more training in a certain area of your job. Whatever the root cause is, take the steps you need to avoid making the same mistake again.

As believers and followers of Christ, we need to ask ourselves how we can, on a daily basis, add value to those with whom we come into contact with at our workplace. This is not about walking around with a Bible in our hands, but rather adding value by being willing to help others and by taking ordinary responsibilities and making them extraordinary. Be willing to go the extra mile – not because it is a way to get noticed, but rather out of a heart of wanting to do good for the sake of others and yourself.

The Bible says in II Thessalonians 3:13, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (NKJV)

There are two types of people who never achieve very much in their lifetimes. One is the person who won’t do what he or she is told to do, and the other is the person who does no more than he or she is told to do – Andrew Carnegie

Our prayer should always be, “Lord, let me honor those that are in authority over me at my place of work by doing more than is expected of me; let me add value to others daily and help me be the asset You want me to be to the company where You have placed me. Amen.”