On Gandhi's Quote...

"Become the change that you want to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi


Then Shane Claiborne changed one word in Gandhi's quote When he did, I believe he made it quite personal for followers of Jesus, "Become the change that you want to see in the church".


Personal? Quite personal? Yes, personal! OK, how so?


At times when we have walked in our spiritual immaturity, we have either outwardly, but most likely inwardly thought or said, "If they would just grow up, the church would be so much better off"; or "If we would just show compassion like the first church, then the world would take notice of us"; or even, "If our leaders would simply take hold of this concept, then we would really grow".


Notice what each of us has had a tendency to think or say about "they", "we", or "our". But wait a minute, what about "me"?


Me? Yes, me! But, why me?


Because, on a particular truth, who did God enlighten through the study and meditation of His Word? Was it...they?...them?...we? No, "Me"! Because, on this specific ministry, who did God persuade through a testimony or maybe a story? Was it...they?...them?...we? No, It was "Me"! Because, on this one weakness or sin, who did the Holy Spirit convict to repent and change? Again, was it...they?...them?...we? Once again, Nope, "Me".


In the past, another favorite word of mine in these types of senarios has been, "Let's"(Let us). But there again, was "us" enlightened? Was "us" persuaded? Or was "us" convinced or convicted? No, usually not; but "I" was!


And because I was the one God chose to enlighten or persuade or convict, I must become the change that He has allowed me to first ponder and then eventually see. I must live it out first. I must allow God to 'work' on others' hearts just as He has done on mine. And in the meantime...

"I must become the change that He has allowed me to see!"