Change my world

People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor. A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors and tear down the defenses they trust in. (Proverbs 21:21-22)

Harry S. Truman reminds us, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." When we live by the standards God lays out for us in scripture, we aren't doing it to 'get credit' for doing good, but we can be assured God takes notice of our obedience. We may not feel the effects of our obedience immediately, but others may see it, finding themselves facing challenges similar to those we are going through, and take heart that they also can make wise choices. While it is undeniably hard to 'do right' or 'good' all of the time, the more we choose to respond to life's challenges in a wise manner, the more it brings honor to God; and when we bring honor to God, it is always a good thing!

Tearing down a city's defenses may seem a little out of league, but there is something so powerful in obedience that a whole city can begin to feel its effect. It takes one tiny spark to ignite a huge fire. It takes one obedient act to ignite the passion for the next obedient act. Soon the multitude of obedient steps one takes will begin to impact others around them. This is how a city's defenses are broken down - one obedient servant taking one obedient step one step at a time. Some of us think those tiny steps of obedience aren't really noticed by anyone, much less making an impact in our sphere of influence, but they are. It isn't the physical walls of a city we are affecting as much as it is the emotional and spiritual defenses that erected to keep others feeling 'safe' or 'protected' from what they perceive as a threat.

Take steps of obedience, trusting that God will multiply their effect - both in your own life and to the benefit of others around you. Obedience may seem like it is a really intimate or personal thing, but it has a rippling effect way outside of your own limited vantage point. The first step toward obedience may not seem to impact the 'world', but it sure begins to change yours! Just sayin!