This week brings the start of the traditional school year. Where has this summer gone?!? With the start of the school year, CVBC looks to the start of the church year in September. I was catching up on my friends on Facebook when I came across not one, but two similar posts. They came from different people in different places – I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

“When you find yourself in the position to help someone, be happy and feel blessed because God is answering that person’s prayer through you. Remember: Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the dark but to be a light to others, so that they may find their way through us.” Alberto Casing

And “My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.” President Jimmy Carter

These two quotes tell us where we should headed during the new church year. Yes, we are a small church. We have our limitations. But one person can make a tremendous difference in the life of another. Consider Jimmy Carter. Since his Presidency, he has created The Carter Center as his base for advancing human rights. He has been involved in peace negotiations and was a principle player in preventing and eradicating diseases in developing nations. His name is closely associated with Habitat for Humanity and is often seen on a building site with a hammer in his hand. In 2002 he received the Nobel Peace Prize “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development”. (Per The Nobel Peace Prize Foundation). At that time he was 77 years old.

We all can’t be Jimmy Carter. He has been given unique chances to serve. And he took advantage of those opportunities, just like we can make the most of our situations. We can use our time to help others. We can be that light that someone might be searching for. It’s up to us to open our eyes and seize the opportunities God presents to us. And we can praise Him for trusting us with His world.                        Submitted by Linda Wheeler

Make a Difference