“Out Live Your Life” by Max Lucado challenges readers with the idea that we were made to make a difference.

In this world of poverty, an economic crisis, war and political unrest, what can we, as common folk, do to make a difference in the world?

First of all, we have to admit that we can’t help all of the people all of the time — just the ones that Jesus puts in our paths.

“You’ve been given your life. No one else has your version. Life is racing by, and if we aren’t careful, you and I will look up, and our shot at it will have passed us by,” Lucado writes.

Lucado begs us to listen to the book of Acts. As he retells stories from that book in language we can identify with, he challenges us to look at our lives and see what we can do to ease suffering for one person at a time.

Each chapter is introduced with a verse from Acts, and ends with another verse and a prayer for us to specifically bring blessing to other people without calling attention to ourselves. Now that’s the hard part at times, but Lucado sets the stage for how we are to help others:

1. Expect no credit for good deeds.

2. Give financial gifts in secret.

3. Don’t fake spirituality.  Sincerely give God the praise. Sounds  easy — but is it? Are we ready to help the person next door, the person in our office that no one likes, the homeless person who begs on the street corner, or the teenager who is always in trouble with the law?

Are you ready to be challenged? Are you ready to possibly shake up your world? Then you are ready to make a difference to “Out Live Your Life!”