Never undermine the power of an individual whose conviction, determination and passion builds the resolve to relentlessly pursue a higher cause that makes this world a better place.

Behind every major movement is an individual driven to work for a higher cause. But as I study biographies and stories of great men of achievements, almost all of them started out as being reluctant. They had doubts. They had insecurities. They were uncomfortable with uncertainties. But over time, their reluctance gives way to resolve. Then they pour their heart, mind and soul towards the pursuit of a higher cause and succeed. Such are men like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce.

They started out reluctant at first. But they saw the opportunity. They felt the urgency of the moment. They realized that their reluctance isn’t as important as the need to get things done. And now their contributions have made this world a better place.

You and I can do the same. Within our own sphere of influence we can contribute and make things better. We may be reluctant as we try to count the costs of making things better, but it’s a good starting point. Our contribution in making this world, or this country, or even just our community or company better is worth the effort.

Let me give you reasons why you should have the resolve to contribute and make things better:

You’re not an accident. God knows you even when you’re just being formed in the womb. My favorite part of Scriptures says that you and I are wonderfully made. While humanists believe that you and I are products of time + matter + chance, I choose to believe that God has a wonderful plan for me, and I’ll never be fulfilled until I overcome my reluctance and turn it into a resolve to contribute.

2. YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS UNIQUE AND ORIGINAL

Your participation in this world can’t be matched by anybody else. God created you an original, so never go to your grave a copy. Your experiences, your skills, your wisdom are all unique. And there’ll always be a need that can be met just by those collectively. You can’t delegate those needs to someone else. Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to do what you must in order to make your world better. Take the initiative to make things happen. Action creates momentum.

People will always smell a fake a mile away. There are many who want to “contribute”, while all they really want is the attention and the accolade, and when these aren’t given, they go ballistic. I remember a lady official of a civic organization who was so mad at the organizers because she wasn’t placed at the presidential table. When she spoke, she said, “I have lived my life as a service to others…” And eyes started rolling all over the place.

Your work is for others. You can build a platform for others to start contributing too. This is where the power of one grows into a mighty force of many, but only if you inspire the many.

4. YOUR CONTRIBUTION DEVELOPS OVER TIME, AND YOU’LL BE FULFILLED.

Success isn’t microwavable. It’s always a crock-pot process. You see your contributions develop over time. You develop patience and learn lessons along the way. The fruit of your meaningful work will reveal itself to you over time. You may not see it now, but you will when you have the resolve to make it happen. 5. YOUR DAYS ARE LIMITED. You and I have our appointed number of heartbeats. That’s why, for the life of me, I don’t understand why certain people can be so brash and arrogant and rude and live as if they will stay immortal. Life is short. What we do now should matter. It should be meaningful. And it should not be for our own vested interests, but for making our family, our community and our country better.

Your contribution matters. Turn your reluctance to resolve, and be determined to be a positive contribution everywhere you go. Many of the real heroes don’t get the headlines, they don’t even have followers in their Facebook, but they’re there – quietly, humbly and, with great resolve, making things better. This is our calling in life, and all should respond to that call. 4 56 6 56 + 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 6 8 6 6 ) 6 9:;9<6 6 6 0 =6 ;> 6 ? @6 7 6 6 A D6 6 % 5 6 at EF9G<EGGF9ED 6 6 HIJ; HI9EF9J6 6 @K