There’s a quiet but persistent pressure in Christian circles to do something big with your life. Maybe you’ve felt it—this subtle idea that unless you’re leading a movement, launching a nonprofit or preaching to the masses, your contribution isn’t all that significant. It’s easy to wonder: Does what I do actually matter?
The short answer? Yes. But maybe not in the way you’ve been conditioned to think.
Scripture constantly flips the script on what impact looks like. A nameless boy with five loaves and two fish (John 6:9) becomes the key to a miracle. A widow giving two small coins (Luke 21:1-4) teaches Jesus’ followers what true generosity looks like. The Bible is full of people who weren’t famous, weren’t influential by the world’s standards, and yet—through faithfulness—made an eternal impact.
We tend to measure influence by visibility. More followers, bigger platform, wider reach. But real impact often happens in ways that never make headlines.
Dr. Tim Elmore, a leadership expert and author of The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, puts it this way: “Leadership isn’t about position; it’s about influence. If you have relationships, you have influence. The question isn’t whether you have it, but how you’re using it.”
That means your daily choices—the way you handle conflict, the encouragement you give a struggling friend, the consistency with which you show up—are shaping people’s lives. You don’t need a microphone to be making a difference.
A lot of Christians live with this low-grade anxiety about whether they’re in their calling. There’s this fear that if we don’t have some dramatic, world-changing assignment, we’ve somehow missed it. But here’s the thing: Most of the people in Scripture who changed the world weren’t trying to. They were just faithful where they were.
Take Ruth. She wasn’t chasing legacy—she was just choosing loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 1:16). Or Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples, who brought his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:41-42). That’s it. No bestselling book, no viral sermon—just an invitation that led to Peter’s world-changing ministry.
To paraphrase Jana Kingsford: “Calling isn’t something you find; it’s something you follow.” Your impact isn’t about waiting for a big moment. It’s about being faithful in the small ones.
So if impact isn’t about chasing influence, what is it about? One of the simplest ways to make an impact is by investing in deep friendships. If Jesus had a close circle of 12, you probably don’t need 50 best friends. But you do need people to pour into.
Instead of constantly chasing new connections, focus on being intentional with a few. Send that text checking in on your friend’s mental health. Show up when someone needs help moving (the truest test of friendship). As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Another overlooked way to make a difference is by using your gifts—especially if they feel small. Not everyone is called to preach, lead worship, or start a nonprofit—and that’s a good thing.
Romans 12:6 reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Your ability to encourage, your knack for organizing, or even your sarcasm (when used wisely) can be a blessing to others. Stop waiting for your talent to feel “big enough” and start using what’s in your hands.
And then there’s encouragement—arguably one of the most underrated forms of impact. The world is full of critics. Be a Barnabas instead. In Acts 11, Barnabas was known for encouraging the early Church, and his belief in people (including Paul) helped shape the spread of the Gospel. A simple compliment, a word of affirmation, or even telling your pastor you appreciated their sermon can be life-giving. The more you encourage, the more you’ll realize your words carry weight.
At the end of the day, impact isn’t about striving or trying to force influence. It’s about obedience. As 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 reminds us, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
Your life is meant to make a difference—not because you’re chasing recognition, but because God is working through you in ways you can’t see. So, keep showing up. Keep loving well. Keep being faithful in the small things. Because in God’s story, there are no small roles—only willing participants.
