You have to be the change, to make a change.

If you want to hear from God, seek Him. This morning I read from my devotional, watched a church service, and listened to Christian music. That is a lot of material to meditate on, and God will use these tools to get His message to your heart.

Reading my Devotional

Today I started How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado, the most recent shipment from my Faithbox subscription. Basically, Chapter 1 is based on Acts 20:35. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I always say the best way to get out of a pity party is to do something kind for someone else. It also said that while we cannot solve every problem in society, we can bring smiles to a few faces.

This got me thinking about motherhood. Don’t we let our children have that last piece of cake, or the pickle from our plate, even though we secretly want it. My son is notorious for calling me into his bedroom when he is in bed for the night. More often than not, I go in when he beckons for me. Fan on? Sure. Drink of water? No problem. He chuckles, and teases me, calling me weak. What he doesn’t know is that he has given me an opportunity to show him just how much I love him. I’m teaching him what it means to love someone, and now that he’s grown, he shows love the same way.

Watching a Church Service

Then I watched yesterday’s church service and the message was about surrendering in the name of Jesus. That we are to surrender our own ideas, preferences, desires, and our lives, even though it feels like losing. The message was that if we hold on tightly to a focus or belief, then we are not able to discover the life Jesus wants for us, or do the work He wants us to do.

The service got me thinking of my 19 years teaching in an inner city school. My experience was that showing extra love and favor to the troubled students proved to be much more effective in evoking change. This may have looked like weakness, or giving in, but the results were fruitful. I earned respect and behaviors evolved for the better.

Listening to Christian Music

After the church service, I turned to music. And what comes on? That’s How you Change the World by Newsboys.

It's the kind words
A simple smile
More than showing up
Going the extra mile
It's giving everything
When you've got nothing left
Sharing a little hope
With a single breath
That's how you change the world.

This is what I think our troubled nation needs right now. You want change? Be the change. Demonstrate what you expect. You want love? Show love. You want respect? Show respect. If you think the police department needs to change, change it to what you want to see it be, by being it. Show them respect. Give them extra love and favor. It doesn’t mean you lose. You’re not giving in. You’re not weak. You’re teaching. You’re training. And at the same time, it is an opportunity to do God’s work. Be the light.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for showing up. Thank you for using books, sermons, and music, to send us the messages we need to hear. Lord, I ask you to help our nation. So many are fighting a fight with darkness. I pray that they see the light, use your light, and be the light, to reach the results they are searching for. In Jesus name, Amen.