Martin Luther King Jr used his influence to make a difference. King was the most visible leader in the civil rights movement throughout the 1950s and 1960s. As a Baptist minister, he sought to bring civil rights to minorities in America. From the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 to organizing the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, he worked diligently to bring about change. King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. In life, without question, King illustrates making a difference on those around him.

In our own particular ways, wherever we live and whomever we can influence, as Christians, we should all want to influence those around us and make a difference as well.

Start Making a Difference Wherever You Are

Matthew captures Jesus’ thoughts on influence from one of his earliest sermons:

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus described your influence as a Christian with emphasis on the difference salt makes whenever it is applied and the way light penetrates darkness. As followers of Christ, He expected our presence in and around others to make an influence in the lives of those who see us, interact with us, or hear about us.

Begin in the Every-Day

You possess everything you need right now to make a difference. Seek intentionally to live Jesus today and throughout this week as effective salt and light to those around you. Let us pray that people see our good deeds and give honor to our Father in heaven.

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