FROM THE editors November 22, 2004 Issue

Be the difference!

'One person can make a difference." A recent Google search, using those exact words, brought up 17,800 responses. Apparently quite a few people do agree, in theory at least. But, do we actually believe that our smile in a crowd, like a drop of water in a sea of anger, can make a difference? That it's worth the effort?

The Christophers organization thinks so. This independent nonprofit—so named for the Greek word meaning Christ-bearer—encourages individuals to use their own uniqueness to lift the standard of everyday life. Its message: "There's nobody like you, and you can make a difference." Prayer and Scripture are considered important, and the sharing of stories of people making a difference is also basic to this organization. It recently sponsored a video contest challenging college students to prove the power of "one." Two hundred fifty-five students from the United States, Africa, and Europe submitted videos!

Most faith traditions, like Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Bahai, include a form of prayer to a Supreme Being. And most are built around the command to actively love God through loving others as well. Jesus, whose fearless teaching and healing—and particularly his unapologetic and clear determination to serve God and love everyone whatever the consequence—launched the Christian movement.

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