FINISHING YOUR WEEK STRONG
“What a Difference a Day Makes”
In 1959, Dinah Washington won a Grammy Award singing a song with that name. Recorded earlier by the Dorsey Brothers in 1934, her version made it into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. The lyrics at the end of the first verse read, “It’s heaven when you find romance on your menu…what a difference a day made and the difference is you.”
For 38 years, a lame man was brought every day to a pool in Jerusalem named Bethesda. It was considered to have healing qualities when an angel came to stir the waters. Each day for all those years he hoped one day would be his day. Somehow he would roll, get pushed, or some way make it into the water at the right time.
However, 13,680 days later he was still waiting—lame as ever. Hope now flickering as a dying ember etched in his memory. Then on a particular Jewish feast day, Jesus of Nazareth passed by the pool and something about this lame man caught his attention.
Could it have been faith still alive after all these years? Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made whole?” In the wink of an eye, Jesus touched the man and 38 years of weakness gave way to praise for wholeness and vigor. What a difference a day makes!
Forty-nine days after the resurrection of Christ, about 120 of his loyal followers gathered to pray in the upper-room of a home in Jerusalem. Jesus had instructed them to wait and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Nine days later they were still waiting, praying and fearful of testifying publicly about Jesus and still wondering if the Holy Spirit would come as promised.
However, on the tenth day about 9am a sound filled the house, a rushing mighty wind began to blow, fire shaped like cloven tongues rested on each person, and everyone spoke in a language they had never learned. What a difference a day makes!
Now, emboldened by the Spirit they spilled out of that upper room into the marketplace testifying of Christ’s resurrection and 3,000 souls were born again. Jesus’ disciples were never again fearful or hesitant but became as bold as lions. What a difference a day makes!
So it is in our lives often a day makes all the difference. A day, 24 little hours, passes allowing God time to work a miracle physically, emotionally and when needed, financially. Sadness and sorrow give way to joy; fear and anxieties vanish—all in one day. What a difference a day makes!
If today finds you with challenges beyond your ability to fix, give God another day. In 1 Peter 5:7 it says, “Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” When no one else seems to care keep your faith focused on Him and see what a difference it makes in your day!
Romance made the difference in the song Dinah Washington sang so long ago, but I wonder for how long? Trusting Jesus every day not only makes a difference for a day—it makes a difference for a lifetime and for all eternity.
Leader, you are not God, but your leadership does affect so many people every day. On their daily drive home, how do your team members reflect on the eight to ten hours they just invested in the effort you lead? Are they energized about showing up tomorrow, or do they wish they had somewhere else to go?