Do you ever wonder about your ability to make a difference in the greater world around you? Most of us seem not to be in any position to influence that greater world. And sometimes, you might even have doubts that you can make a difference in your more intimate circle of friends and family.
Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:2-3 NIV)
Making a Difference
Naaman was the commander of the army of Aram, a nation to the north of Israel. He was a powerful and influential man. Unlike the young girl in this account. Everything about her screams of insignificant. She was a young girl. A foreign captive and slave. Her job was to serve. Not to advise.
Naaman had leprosy. It would seem like there was little that this young girl could do to help Naaman. But she knew someone who could. Elisha was a prophet in Israel, where she was from. And she was convinced that Elisha would be able to heal Naaman’s leprosy. If only he would go and see him.
So she told Naaman’s wife, her mistress. She told Naaman, who told his king. Naaman went to Elisha and was healed. Naaman and Elisha are the central figures in this story and get all the headlines. But without this young girl, there was no story. Her role may have been small. But it was not insignificant.
And that is true for each of us as well. Never underestimate your ability to make a difference. Your part to play may be small and seemingly insignificant. But every part is important. Without your contribution, the story may not be written. Or its writing might be very different.
