Have you ever wondered if you are making a difference in this world? After all the praying, praising, Bible-reading, and good-deeding, what if only one person is reached for Christ? Will it be worth it?

Let’s go one step further…what if it seems as though not one person is influenced positively as we strive to live out our faith? Sometimes we need to be reminded that the positive effect we leave on others will often not be known by us this side of heaven.

When our God-inspired actions elicit negative reactions or none at all here on earth, it requires us to commit to “keep on keeping on” regardless of how receptive the world seems. It becomes necessary for us to be more concerned with seeking God’s face and God’s grace than the applause and approval of others. Seeking God’s favor above all else takes intentional prayer on our part. Eventually we see that when pleasing God tops our priorities, pleasing others begins to disappear off of the list.

2 Corinthians 5:20a says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” We are Christ’s ambassadors – His representatives. That is quite a responsibility, but it comes with an unmatched reward of knowing that we are displaying His light to a dark world in desperate need. And shining that light matters more than anything else. More than “what other people think.” More than acceptance. More than admiration.

If our “well-done-good-and-faithful-servant” life doesn’t receive many earthly accolades or some every-once-in-a-while “attaboys” or “attagirls,” let’s make the choice to stay encouraged! If we are striving to be Christ’s ambassadors, we are doing just what we have been asked to do. It is the most important difference we can possibly make in this world and, praise God, in the next.