Change Starts with Me

Change Starts with Me

As this year ends, I find myself having conversations with so many people who have become disheartened with the world we are living in, including myself. Many find themselves reminiscent of the “good ole days”.

With the introduction of technology, we have certainly gained. Yet, I feel a deep loss, as well. The other night, I sat in a restaurant and watched a man and three boys (ages 13-18) sit glued to their phones during an entire meal. I presumed them to be father and sons. They each glanced up long enough to give the waitress their individual orders. They then spent the remaining 45 minutes eating and scrolling. Two of the boys elbowed each other once or twice to share something from their phones. Other than that, there was no conversation and no eye contact.

When I was a child, going out to eat was such a treat. It didn’t happen very often. It was normally reserved for birthdays or special occasions. As children, we looked forward to a meal out, and we loved gathering around the table, visiting with anticipation of the arrival of our food. The entire experience was a gift!

I also remember Sundays being “family day” at our house. We were not allowed to go anywhere or do anything outside of a family activity on a Sunday. These days were sacred, reserved for church, rest, and our family unit. That began to change when we all got older and had employment that required working Sunday shifts.

In today’s world, I feel that our families are in such a rush. For many people, REST feels unattainable. Other people feel unworthy of rest. This is such a lie from the enemy. If he can keep us on the perpetual hamster wheel, he can keep us exhausted and depleted.

We were also raised with the idea that every human being had value. No person was better than another—regardless of his/her race, income level, job, possessions, etc. We were taught to respect our elders and to show kindness to all of humanity.

People have become so hateful and spiteful. We divide ourselves by so many things and hide behind keyboards. Fear ebbs in and controls so many situations. Fear of someone who looks different than us or has a different custom. Fear of the unknown. We close our minds and our hearts. Another tactic of the enemy. Everyone smiles in the same language.

God wants us to go to Him first. He wants us to ask, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” God wants us to read His Word. He wants us to listen more and speak less. To live in harmony, sometimes we need to compromise or put someone else’s needs ahead of our own. This does not mean we compromise our spiritual beliefs. It means we agree to disagree to live in peace.

So, what do we do when we become disheartened? Do we give up, throw in the towel, quit? Of course not!

Change happens when we decide we have had enough of the status quo.

Change happens when we decide this is not the world we want to live in.

Change happens when we decide to change our actions and reactions.

Change starts with me.

So let me start by telling you, “You are important. You belong here. God loves and adores you. I am sorry for the hurt you have experienced in life, and I pray that you feel God’s peace in new and deep ways. Do not ever let anyone tell you that you are ‘less than’. You are an incredible gift to this world, designed on purpose for a purpose. Encourage one another. Love one another. Be the light of Jesus for another, and I will do the same.”

Romans 8:26-28 reminds us, “In the same way, The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searched our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV