How to Change the World (In Four Easy Steps)

How to Change the World (In Four Easy Steps)
I will admit, my title is a bit misleading. As much as I wish it could be, change can’t be quantified into a series of steps or a checklist. As much as I love reading those descriptive lists (10 Ways Your Life is Like a Tub of Hummus), life is messier, complicated, an enigma. You can’t always group people and emotions into neat little categories or a four-step program.
The internet is not very helpful either. There are so many conflicting opinions. “Do this challenge!” “This challenge doesn't really do anything.” “Help people by donating money.” ”Your money isn't leading to long term solutions.” “Help people globally.” “Stay out of global affairs.”
Trying to bring about change can feel overwhelming. I want to make a difference, but it’s often hard to know where to start. There is so much hurt. So much despair. So many broken, hurting people, and I am one of them.
It’s enough to make your head spin.
Although changing the world can’t happen in four easy steps, this list will give you a place to start.
1). Examine yourself. I read an article recently about discovering if you’re in love with changing the world or just with the idea of changing the world. Make sure to examine your motives. Is our desire to change the world borne out of compassion and grace, or to help ourselves feel better about our own personal lives? Unless compassion and grace are at the heart, a disconnect will fray the powerful cords of connection. Genuine change will not occur unless connection is present.
2). Remember that we’re all part of the human race. Are you looking at people like a project, as the other? “Well, they clearly need help. Look how broken they are. I’d better help them.” We are all broken. We are all flawed. We all have problems. We sometimes separate people in groups based on their brokenness and forget that we are one of the broken. People are people, not a fix-it-up project.
3). Figure out what burdens your heart. We can’t do everything, but we can do something. What causes nettle you, get under your skin? What can’t you forget about? What burdens your heart so much that it literally hurts? Knowing what you want to change helps provide some specific goals.
4). Start somewhere. It’s so easy to get caught up in the big picture that we forget the sacredness of daily life. You don’t have to build houses to help a homeless family. Buy someone a meal.Talk to lonely people. Listen to them, listen to their stories. Pray for them. Open up your house to a foster child. You can serve without even leaving your community. When thinking of everything that needs to be done, the needs seem great. There is much to be done, and not enough time to do everything. However, if we don’t start somewhere, then nothing will be done.
As I have grown up, I have transformed from an idealist to a realist. Change can occur. It will occur. We have the opportunity to join in the act of this community. Change is more than a mission’s trip or a fundraiser; it is a mindset where we are constantly seeking opportunities to extend grace with courage and empathy. It is not an act of pity, but a desire to share dignity with our fellow human beings. True change recognizes that we are not “fixing” people because we ourselves are already fixed, but because community involves strengthening and building each other up no matter where they are.
True change is messy yet beautiful, painful yet full of joy. Entering into this mindset might just change your life.

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