Changing the World

I did my civic duty and voted earlier this week. Facebook was down all day that day, so I didn't get a chance to post a photo of my voting sticker, so I'm not sure if my vote even counted. And I don't mean to be cynical, but I'm not sure how much difference my one vote made anyway. Or any votes, for that matter. We are living in pretty desperate times, and though I don't ever want to take the incredible privilege of my right to vote for granted, sometimes I am skeptical about whether it's going to change anything. Or even, how much difference the politicians I vote for are going to really make.

I think the most important thing we can do as citizens is pray. Voting is a good thing, for sure, but if you want to change your world, I would encourage you to devote yourself to prayer. At the very least, that's a good starting point.

Speaking of changing our world, the following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have then been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

In last Sunday's message, one of the points of application was this simple truth: "Change is a choice." And as much as you and I might not be able to change all the circumstances in our world--including our government--we are responsible for ourselves. We have more choices that we think sometimes, but usually we would just as well resort to complaining instead of making better choices.

So, what is it about the world you think needs changing? Or, closer to home, about our country, or our community? Or perhaps at your work place, or in our church, or in your family? God wants to start right where you are and transform you first, and from there He'll work in you and through you to change your world.

Here's hoping that God brings the changes you need, as you make the choices to follow Him. Have a blessed weekend. I hope to see you Sunday.

--Pastor Ken