Most of us long to be significant … to contribute something that’ll make a positive difference in the world. I remember studying psychologist Abraham Maslow’s theory about human motivation when I was in college. His chart—called the hierarchy of needs—was a triangle. The large base was made up of basic physiological needs like breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing, and sleep. Once those were met, people could move up to the next level of needs. The progression moved from physical to psychological to more altruistic or spiritual pursuits, like morality, creativity, purpose, and meaning. Our desire to be respected and valued by others is quite normal, but often, especially in today’s social media world, those seeking to make the world better or serve others are ignored or dismissed. What grabs the most attention is behavior that’s violent, divisive, or weird.   

As the people of God, we find this out-of-whack value system discouraging. While we don’t aspire to being rich or famous, we do want our lives to count. We wonder: How can we impact history for good when our entire culture seems so opposed to what we represent? C. S. Lewis understood what’s at play in each new generation. “All that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

The good news is, there’s an alternate historical narrative that’s taking place alongside what we read in history books, newspapers, or on media sites. It’s the history that matters to God, and as followers of Jesus, we have an important part to play in how it unfolds. God’s remnant—His people of faith who live in covenant with Him amid all the corruption and skewed values of this world—are in fact making a HUGE difference … we just can’t detect it. Fortunately, our impact isn’t dependent upon how the world views us. The Lord himself helps us to become true history makers.  

We may feel like our good works are unseen and unappreciated, but we would be wrong. In God’s economy, nothing we do for His sake is ever wasted. One day, we’ll rejoice to see how He used it all for His purposes. When we continue to serve the Lord in spite of opposition, ingratitude, ignorance, and persecution, we can trust that Jesus will fulfill the promise He made to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:8-12. “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. … Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven. I will also write on them my new name.”  

If Jesus, the utterly perfect Son of God, was rejected by those He came to save, why do we expect to be received well? Jesus came to turn history upside down, to put humanity back on the right track. He extended to Israel the opportunity to renew their relationship with God, but the religious leaders turned Him down. They preferred to go their own way and maintain their place of power, paltry as it was in the end. No wonder Jesus wept as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, saying, “If you had only known on this day what would bring you peace …” He knew the disaster that lay ahead for them “because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:41, 44)

Despite their rejection, Jesus has forever changed the lives of millions by His obedience. The impact of His life can’t be measured fully. And now, as we follow Him, we have the opportunity by our obedience to change history too—in His name and by His power. When we share with others who He is, it’s their decision to reject or accept the truth. For those who do respond and believe in Him, their lives are changed forever. Our part in their conversion is small but still significant, like the people of God described in Daniel 12:1-3. “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”  Jesus picks up this theme in Matthew 13 as He explains to His disciples what will happen at the end of the age. “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. … Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:41-43)

We must be content with God’s approval when the world misunderstands and rejects us. The truth is, most people living around us won’t see the contribution we’re making or appreciate what we’re seeking to bring them. Like Jesus, our impact will one day be acknowledged, but in the meantime our role is to follow Him to the cross, knowing that resurrection follows death, and exaltation only comes after we’ve endured humiliation and shame. “Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:13-14).

It doesn’t matter if we make a mark in secular history books or gain a huge following on social media. The glory of this world is passing away and won’t last long. Let’s rejoice that we’re in the history book that WILL last into eternity: the Lamb’s Book of Life. As God’s children, we can choose to live out what the band Delirious sang on their album King of Fools: “I’m gonna be a history maker in this land, I’m gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind. I’m gonna stand, I’m gonna run into your arms.” In knowing Jesus, we have already achieved meaning and significance. Even giving a cup of cold water to someone in Jesus’ name will be rewarded by God himself (Matthew 9:41). So let’s not grow weary in doing God’s will because every good choice we make impacts someone else’s history. Even our hidden acts of righteousness have eternal consequences. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “More history is made in the prayer closet than in the national cabinet.”

Heavenly Father, I pray you’ll remind us of our significance as your ambassadors in the world. May we find joy in sharing your Good News and serving others, even when we are met with ridicule and rejection. We want to be history makers for your Kingdom, Lord, so use our lives to change the lives of others. We know from your Word that if we sow righteousness, we’ll reap a spiritual harvest in due season. We look forward to our future with you and give you all the honor and glory! Amen.