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LEADERSHIP
What difference does it make?

David Wiebe

As I think about the dawning of the millennium, I ask myself: What difference does it make that I’m alive?

Some people enjoy watching It’s a Wonderful Life almost every Christmas. This old movie stars Jimmy Stewart as a banking official named George Bailey whose world unravels just before Christmas. People take advantage of his generous spirit and plummet him into financial disaster. As he considers taking his own life, he stands on a bridge and wonders what difference it made that he existed. He wishes he had never been born. An angel is assigned to show George what might have happened if that was the case. He wouldn’t have the lovely children who now grace his home. A person needing a loan to start up a business would have ended up homeless. Others would have ended up in crime. The story ends with George being rescued from his predicament by those he helped. He concludes, “It’s a wonderful life.” The movie is a parable of the potential of a human being to bring good to others.

So, does it make an eternal difference that you and I are alive? I’m sure it does, but at times it helps to see some evidence of this.

There’s Joan: She had never been to church until she came into contact with our family. Through friendship, she has become interested in spirituality, and my family has the privilege of guiding her toward Christ as she embarks on her spiritual quest.

Alice quit going to church when she was nine or ten because that’s when her parents gave it up. But she’s starting to attend because she’s run into our family.

Walter grew up in a chaotic home environment. Becoming a friend to our family drew him to Christ. He’s attending baptism class.

Monty left a mainline church years ago but has become interested in renewing his faith, cautiously. We see him socially and always have something interesting to discuss about faith and religion.

These folks are seeking truth and want to find answers that make sense for their inner spirit. I pray for them every day.

I don’t have the gift of evangelism, but I can make a difference through prayer and friendship. I’ve resolved to pray for four spiritually seeking friends every day for this year. My expectation is that it will ingrain a habit in me that will keep going for a lifetime. I also expect that they will advance in their search, perhaps even committing their lives to Christ this year.

Here’s my challenge to you. Every Sunday, over 40,000 people gather in Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada. What if all of us determined to pray for four spiritually seeking friends every day this year? Just think: Over 160,000 Canadians would be the beneficiaries of someone praying for them!

Would it make an eternal difference? I should think so! We’d be more aware of opportunities to help them when they had a need. We’d be better friends to them. We’d grow in our own faith as we made the Great Commission a practical priority. And we’d see people start to follow Christ in greater numbers.

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful life . . . now and forever!

Will you join me in my prayer mission? Let’s make a difference together.

David Wiebe is executive director of the Canadian MB Conference.

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Last modified January 11, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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