Mahatma Gandhi is famous for the words "be the change you want to see in this world". I can appreciate this to some degree...instead of pointing fingers or complaining, we need to do/be what we can do to bring about solutions to injustice. If there are hungry people - we need to be the change - we need to feed them. I get that. I like that. I am doing that more and more.
But I'm sorry Mr. Gandhi - you missed it. We don't have what it takes. We cannot self help our way to solutions. We are absolutely incapable of creating any change that will truly change the lives and destinies of the broken and hurting around us. We can give them food, but "what good is it if a man gains the whole world and yet forfeit's his soul"?
That is why we must pray.
Christians are in danger of blending in with all the humanistic thinking which is so prevalent in our culture today, that "preaches" we can change the world. Pastors and leaders are gathering and trying to come up with the latest and greatest ideas on how to be effective. I love these kinds of meetings. I'm a strategy junkie...but it may need to stop.
We can't do it on our own. We can't come up with Social Justice ideas, we can't come up with strategic programming ideas, we can't formulate ways to truly impact the culture. We don't have what it takes.
If you are a Christian - please hear me: stop trying to figure out plans - and return to your knees and pray.
Pray first...
Be the change second...
If you get those two mixed up you'll be wasting your time.
2 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philemon 1:6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ
If you're not praying - you're spinning your wheels - and spending time formulating plans without the true power that is necessary to see real change take place.
If you are not a Christian...maybe it's time to ask yourself....for all the effort you make trying to make yourself better, and trying to make the world a better place - as admirable as that is...I'd like you to consider the power of a surrendered life. A life that finally allows Jesus to have the controls. Jesus said "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." As you turn your life to him - He will empower you, and give you the strength to "be the change" this world needs. You won't have to be fake - you won't be forced into "good works". You'll be transformed, and God will live inside of you and give you a new heart and new desires.
Let's all stop trying so hard - and get back to prayer and ask God to release His will and power into this world to bring the true transformations that need to take place.
Pray as if it all depends on God
Live as if it all depends on you.
In that order.
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