World or One?

Whose world are you trying to change today? The question is quite simple, yet most of us will stumble to answer this one truthfully. We may quip that we are trying to change everyone's world, one kind action after another, but is this truly what our actions reveal? We are called to be 'world changers', but by what means and with what intent? Too many times our intent is to 'make things better' for someone or something. We 'save the whales', 'recycle now', and 'feed the homeless' all in an attempt to make the 'world better' for someone or something. God asks for us to be a different kind of 'world changer' though. God asks for us to be 'good stewards' of the resources and talents we have been given, revealing little bits of him to others as we do, showing others there is always grace available to as many as will reach out and take it.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

World-changers isn't an organization of men and women, nor is it a church on some street in your local town. World changers are you and I, called to live as light in this dark world, challenged to be 'salt' in a world that otherwise would be pretty unaware of the 'savor' found in having one's sins forgiven and life transformed by the power of Jesus. We sometimes think we cannot impact the world, but forget the world is right there in front of us one person at a time. There is nothing we can do beyond that person! We find our greatest 'usefulness' in God's kingdom whenever we are faithful to be light and salt in the lives of those who cross our path. We aren't called to 'save the world' because that is God's job! We are called to be faithful stewards of the light we have received - to share the hope that is within us.

Become generous with your lives - this is our challenge today. If we are to be 'world changers', it begins today by being generous with the blessings God has poured into our lives. Those blessings include his grace, but they also include his truth. When was the last time you extended grace where it was least deserved? When did you speak truth into the life of someone clouded in the muddle of fog that a life without Christ attracts? We might think this is too much, but we 'speak' with our life actions more than we do with our words. We exhibit grace and we live truth. We live in the light of the truth we have received from Christ and then we become the light by which another life is guided into the same light! We don't want to be stingy with God's grace. We want to use it to change the lives of those around us.

Too many times we think 'globally', but I think God is challenging us today to think about our 'world' in a way that takes our focus from global to right there inside your own home, work space, or next door neighbor. Light dissipates the farther it travels away from the source. Light is brightest nearest the source. Remain near to the source of true light (Christ), and before long others will be drawn to the light you are reflecting. Our 'world' is small in comparison to Christ's world - but it is the world we are called to change. Be an example of forgiveness in your family and see how that begins to impact your 'world'. Be a messenger of hope where those around you seem to have lost theirs and see how that alters their hopelessness. You and I are not asked to change the 'global' world today, but we are asked to help change the 'individual world' around us! Just sayin!