World Changers Aren’t Necessarily News Makers

Today I am featuring a guest post from my friend Greg Darley. Greg is a young go-getter. A few years ago he started BackStage Leadership, a coaching network that let’s you get behind-the-scenes with some of today’s most influential church leaders. This month he is releasing his first book, Passion is Not Enough. Here’s a quote from the book:

“Good intentions don’t change the world. Ideas alone will change nothing. Desires don’t feed the hungry. Ambition won’t stop injustice. Enthusiasm alone will not reach the lost. Wishing changes nothing. To change the world, we must have more than passion.”

You can read Greg’s blog here.

And follow him on twitter here.

In my research for Passion is Not Enough, I discovered something that I know I will be thankful I learned early—most people that change the world never make the news. I don’t have a scientific study to backup this fact, but its still true. For every person you see on the news making a huge impact in the world (i.e. Bill Gates donating millions of dollars to a charity), there are tens of thousands of others doing work that’s just as important.

Most of them are quietly going about their lives, making a difference where they can. They don’t have fancy websites or worldwide ministries. They help how they can when they can. These are the people serving at soup kitchens or tutoring kids after school. These people clean up neighborhood parks and help a friend who’s sick. They may not be raising millions of dollars, but its still amazing work.

The great majority of them don’t even worry about making the news either. They don’t work for the publicity or notoriety. They don’t need to make the front page for their work. Most world changers never make the news–and that’s ok by them.

Some questions to consider:

·      Will I keep pursuing that vision even if I don’t get the attention I probably deserve?

·      Will you write that book if only 100 people buy it?

·      Will you stay with that church plant when only 20 people show up?

·      Will you work at that after-school program that affects just 3 students?

We all want recognition.  We want to know that the work we do impacts people. We all want the pat on the back.  This is normal. But, for those that are seeking to change the world, you need to realize that you may never receive the credit you deserve.  It’s better to know that going in than getting frustrated in the process.

A quick side note.  Take some time today to encourage those that are changing the world and don’t get the recognition they deserve.  Send a thank you note, an email, or a quick text to someone that’s impacted you.  That encouragement could be the thing that keeps them working.

Greg has generously offered a special discount, 20% off Passion is Not Enough, for this week only for my blog readers. Simply use the coupon code “Lindsey20” at checkout.

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Lindsey has a sincere love for her precious dogs Molly and Maisy, a good red wine and the Delta Sky Club.

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