Make a difference – Day 7

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to make a difference by being a positive influence, but you came away disappointed in yourself and by your contribution? I have, on several occasions, and I wonder if I’m alone in this.

Looking back on a particular time that disappointed me, I realise that I had not thought enough through my role in it, despite having prayed about it and having set out willingly in faith. Sometimes, somewhere between praying and doing, we are distracted by other things in between and lose our focus and, with it, our self-control.

Recently, while watching a rugby match between our national team and the reigning world champions, I saw evidence of a real need for prepared minds and self-control. Confusion and lacking focus seemed to make our team miss many vital opportunities to make a difference in that match.

The truth is that we have to give one hundred percent if we want to make a difference and it starts in the arena of the mind. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Peter urges the Christians to “prepare your mind; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you”. He knows that although God has equipped his children to succeed in the challenges of this world, practical instruction is necessary, because “(our) enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

We need to ask the Lord to help us in the, often, neglected training of the mind. This will also enable us to reinforce our self-control. We must admit our weaknesses to our heavenly Father and stand firm against the devil’s attacks. Engaging the mind, practising self-control and focusing our hope on the reward ahead are vital in fine-tuning the outcome.

Jesus made a difference in this life for us: he broke the chains that held us captive; he set us free from sin and he brought us out of the darkness into amazing light. He has given us, as his followers, instructions to do the same. Jesus wants us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-14) and he wants us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (he has) commanded (us)” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Will you?