by Sylvia Gaston
If you could do one thing to change the world for the
better, what would it be?
It’s very easy to get frustrated with the way things are
today. There are many things that need to be fixed. Here are some of the things
that I consider…
War
Crime
Political division
Substance abuse
Disease
Homelessness
Environmental problems
Hunger / Lack of clean water
Absence of parental guidance
There is a tendency to look at a problem, see the magnitude
of it, and simply back away and do nothing because it seems overwhelming or
futile. Yet, many amazing, world-changing things occur because a single person takes
that first small step.
The world seems too large to influence yet some of you are
destined to influence communities, states, nations. But most of us will live
our entire lives on a much smaller scale. So what one thing could you change on
a smaller scale to make the world a better place? Many have turned the tide
because they stepped out, did or said something, and influenced others toward
change.
Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World
War 2, is best remembered for his inspiring speeches and for his refusal to
give in, even when things were going badly. He successfully led Britain through
World War 2. He changed his world.
Rosa Parks was not the first African-American to boycott
racial segregation but she was the first one to see her act of “civil disobedience”
through the lengthy court process. She, and the year-long bus boycott that
followed, became important symbols for others to rally against racial
segregation. She changed her world.
One man…one woman…making a significant change to their world
by taking that first small step.
You are one man, one woman. What first small step could you take
to influence your world – on a large or small scale?
For me, it comes down to looking for opportunities to come
alongside a person who is struggling or in a personal crisis. It might be a
pending divorce, a health issue, errant children, or depression. Sometimes
their crisis seems much too large for me to influence. But I can pray with them
and for them, I can tell them what God says about their situation, I can point
them to a Creator who will never abandon them - even in the darkest days. A first small step.
There’s a huge difference between optimism and hope.
Optimism is defined as “confidence about
the future or a successful outcome of something”.
Hope is the “expectation
of something desired; desire combined with expectation”.
We can be optimistic about our circumstances or we can have
the expectation that our outcome will be positive.
My hopes and expectations originate with Jesus. Once I chose
to put my trust in Him, I no longer had to worry about my future. Despite what
life throws at me, I have an expectation that God will see me through it. He
will stay by my side, His Holy Spirit will guide me through it, and eventually,
I will live forever worry- and pain-free with Jesus in Heaven. My hope! My
expectation!
The first thing you can do to change your world is to choose
to follow Jesus. You can begin to lead a life that is not perfect, but a life
that is hopeful.
If you already are a Jesus-follower, take that first small step – whatever it may be – to change the world around you. That step will look different for each of us. Don’t be afraid. You have nothing to lose. Be hopeful! Be expectant! Change your world.
If you already are a Jesus-follower, take that first small step – whatever it may be – to change the world around you. That step will look different for each of us. Don’t be afraid. You have nothing to lose. Be hopeful! Be expectant! Change your world.
