“But remember, it is better to obey God and bear the trauma of change, than to disobey and miss out on our future in God.” – Larry Randolph

 I am like many Success-Minded People who see what is happening in the world today and feel a mixture of disgust and sorrow.  Many of our leaders are the worst examples of integrity and good character.  Heroes are being created of those who are the most outrageous and do the most damage rather than from those who do good deeds and show courage against all odds.  Selfishness is the theme of the day whether shown in politically correct thinking, greed and corruption or just in the “me first” thinking that we seem to love so much.  In all it can be a bit dishearting.

 TAKE CHARGE

There is something that can be done.  It is not just being aware that change is needed in our world, it is being aware that the change must come in me first.  This is the only time when it is correct that “it is all about me!”  Attorney Kerry Randall said this: “Contrary to popular opinion, life does not get better by chance, life gets better by change.  And this change always takes place inside; it is the change of thought that creates the better life.”  That change of thought is from thinking that others need to change and realizing I need to change first.

 STEPS TO CHANGE

So how do we go through such a change and what does that look like?  Here are a few simple but profound steps that will make the biggest change in your life:

First, we have to recognize that we must change.  You cannot change anyone else on this planet but you, but the thing to remember is that you can change you.  H. Jackson Brown, Jr. said “Never underestimate your power to change yourself.”  So the first step is to know that you need change.  Recognize that you have failures and you too can be as selfish as the next guy.  Scripture tell us that we are all sinners and have fallen short of what God intended for us.

Second, we must turn away from the old way of thinking and begin to see life differently.  Again, Scripture calls that repentance.  It is a turning away and going toward the life that God has called us to.  Remember please, this is most important, it is not what you stop doing that counts, it is what you do.  Leonard Ravenhill said “There’s a difference between changing your opinion, and changing your lifestyle.” 

Third, you need to know how you should live and what you are called to do.  We are told over and over again that we should read our Bible and pray every day.  The fact is most people – even believers – do not do it.  But the reality is that it is the only way you will ever know the truth and how to follow it.  If you do not talk to God or read His word how will you know what He expects of you.  Mark this down: ignorance is never an excuse for sin.  This is your responsibility and you must make the change.  Adlai Stevenson said “Change is inevitable.  Change for the better is a full-time job.”  You cannot dabble in change you must live it deliberately and every day.

 MAKE IT BETTER

To make the world a better place it all starts with one person at a time.  First you make a difference and then live the example.  Others will follow and then others will follow them and so on.  Albert Einstein said “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”  That means you have to change your way of thinking and that changes your life.

 © 2011 John Patrick Hickey