To Do: Change the World

NOT LONG AGO, I read this caption on a magazine: “50 Companies That Are Changing the World” and in this season of graduations every commencement speaker is going to pronounce “This class is going to change the world.” I don’t mean to sound cynical, but neither of those statements is accurate.

[bctt tweet=”A company no matter how large or small is not going to change the world.” username=”bizmastersglobal”]

A graduating class will not change the world this year nor any other year. Why is that? Here’s what I think.

Changing the world does not happen at the macro level; not through an organization, nor business, nor academic, nor religious or faith-based entity. Change happens at the micro individual level, in the spirit hidden from view where values form and actions manifest. I can’t change the world, you can’t change the world, an organization can’t change the world, but here’s how we can make a difference. One individual at a time, joined with another individual, joined with another individual … with the right attitude, the right motives, the right character, the right thoughts, the right spirit – and all of those starting at the micro level to the macro community – one individual with honorable values, character, motives.

Are you out to change your world?

[bctt tweet=”Become a person who brings joy and gives encouragement.” username=”bizmastersglobal”]

Become a person who listens with all your senses and puts into practice understanding and patience. We all need to internalize the words of Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” To begin to make a difference I must pursue peace and pour into others. God says it is His will for us to forgive. Some of us have recent offenses to forgive and some have ancient abuses that need to be absolved. It isn’t easy. A wound can be easily covered, it can be ignored, but it won’t heal without opening it to be cleansed, treated, and wrapped in a protective shield, then given time to be restored. Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Forgiveness can change your world.

So what else? Does joy cling to you like Velcro? Do you speak confidence into others so they feel valued? I’m thinking of a few ways we can change our world. Maybe you can add your own.

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Empathy and understanding – Proverbs 28:2 says “When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it—But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.” There is no joy in chaos and one person can’t fix it, but as individuals we can be empathetic and understanding. It will change our world.

Wisdom and discernment – In 2014 I chose the word discernment as my word to live by. There was no particular reason except that on a personal level I held myself accountable to be discerning about my life choices. It might seem possible to separate wisdom from discernment, but to be effective they come bonded together like steel, the strong alloy formed by combining iron with carbon. In Daniel 2:21, Daniel acknowledged that “God gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding.” God still does that. Pray for wisdom and discernment. It will change our world.

Kindness and generosity – Is there anything that brings more joy to another person than being kind, generous, and covering them in prayer? Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” And let me add – be generous with all of those. It will make a difference in the lives of others. It will change our world.

Motives and values – This is a troubling aspect of sorting out the events and circumstances in life. Our values are those things we believe at our core that determine how we behave. OK, that’s pretty much the textbook definition, but our values define us. If you don’t like who you are, examine your values. Motives are why we behave as we do. When our motives are inconsistent with our values, we are conflicted and not joyful. Our spirits crave assimilation between values and motives. If you struggle and feel constant discord, examine your motives in relation to your values – then pray for God to reveal how to bring them into alignment with His values. Proverbs 5:21 “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.” Align your motives and values. It will change our world.[/message][su_spacer]

Life is a contact sport and sometimes we get beat up pretty bad. We get tired and weary; we get frustrated, even angry. There’s an app for that. The Biblical Application found in Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Do you want to change our world? Do what is good and don’t give up. It will change our world.

On the wall in my brother’s office hangs a plaque that reads;

[bctt tweet=”Everyone who visits this office brings joy – some by entering, some by leaving.” username=”bizmastersglobal”]

I want to be the one who enters. I want joy to cling to me like Velcro.