2018 – The Year YOU Made a Difference!

2017 was certainly a year where the need to help your fellow man became very clear.  I was blessed to spend some time this past June in India and discuss the challenges of drought and poverty being faced across the continent.  The Summer ended in a very abrupt fashion with multiple natural disasters occurring in the form of devastating hurricanes.  Human inflicted tragedies in Las Vegas & Sutherland Springs reminded us all that there is evil in this world, but let us never forget that there is a lot more good than bad.

Nagpur, India

2018 gives us all a new opportunity to recommit ourselves to making the world a better place.  It can be as simple as volunteering down the street, or traveling half way around the world to help a child whose life could be impacted greatly if you just show you care.  You have a choice in how you will make a difference.  There are some that prefer their own cocoon and live their lives in a bubble.  To each their own, but in the end, what will you have to show for it?

Hurricane Harvey Relief and Recovery in Texas

Life is defined by what you put into it.  If you choose to live in your own space and ignore all that is going on outside that space, you are missing out and so are those you could impact.  God has blessed each and every one of us with gifts that are unique.  In order to optimize these gifts, you have to be willing to take the leap and open them up for others to see.  It might be hard at first, but nothing worth having should be easy!  Take a moment to think about a time where you had to work hard to get what you wanted.  Amazingly, getting it was not near as rewarding as the journey to get there!

Praying that God’s Gifts of Resources and Volunteers reach those most in need.

How about making a New Year Resolution that you can keep regardless of your situation.  It only takes one thing….EFFORT, and then watch what will happen to you.  Your community, state, country, and world will open up before you and be better for you having joined in to help.  Don’t worry about your skills, wealth, etc.  God has already given you what you need, you just have to do it!  Let’s make 2018 a year where YOU made a difference!

Holding a Hand goes a long way in Koforidua, Ghana

Sam Smith is an established Branding and Marketing Executive that has spent decades leading multiple international non-profit’s and ministries to record results for operations and service to the world’s poor.  He shares his passion at OptimizingMinistry.com